When there is an emergency, lives are in danger, serious injury, serious medical condition, crime in progress, or any other situation needing immediate attention.

If you accidentally dial 911, do not hang up. Stay on the line and tell the dispatcher that everything is alright. If you don't, the dispatcher may think that something is wrong and send a police officer to check.

Dialing 9-1-1 on your home phone is the fastest way you can get help for yourself or someone else. 9-1-1 was put into operation in 1968 as the number to call for emergency help anywhere in the United States to make getting emergency help faster and easier. Before 9-1-1 was put into operation, in an emergency people had to find the right phone number in the phone book or through an operator. If there was a fire, people phoned the fire department. If there was a crime, people called the police.

Yes, if someone in your area is injured. If you call 911 on a campus phone, you will reach MTSU Public Safety. You will also reach MTSU Public Safety by dialing 898-2424 on either a campus or cell phone. If you call 911 on your cell phone, you will likely reach the City Police Department.

Never say "nine eleven." There is no eleven on a telephone keypad or dial. Always say "nine-one-one." Never call 9-1-1 as a prank or joke. You can get into trouble and keep someone who really needs help from getting it in time. Call 9-1-1 if you think you have an emergency and explain the situation to the dispatcher. If you call 9-1-1 by mistake, don't hang up. Explain the mistake to the dispatcher and say there is NO EMERGENCY.

Emergency dispatchers need to get accurate information to allow officers to make the best decision on how to approach the situation. Dispatchers handling fire and paramedic calls must also consider the well-being of the public and the safety of the firefighters and paramedics. Callers will be asked: The information you provide a dispatcher is relayed to responding officers, paramedics or firefighters while they are on their way to the call.

The same dispatchers who answer the 911 calls also answer the non-emergency calls for service for all law enforcement agencies in Ada County. When the dispatch center is busy, the dispatchers have to ask non-emergency callers to hold on while they answer the 911 calls. Every effort is made to get back to you as quickly as possible, and your patience and understanding is appreciated.