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.

The dispatcher will try to call you back. If the dispatcher reaches a child on the phone, he/she will ask to speak to an adult. An officer will be dispatched to the residence if no adult can be reached. If no one answers, an officer will be dispatched. If the line is busy, the dispatcher will attempt to break through with the help of an operator to see if it was a misdial or there is an emergency needing help.

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

Should you accidentally dial 911, please stay on the phone line. As soon as your finger depresses the last one of 911, the call has been placed. Please explain your mistake to the 911 Operator. We appreciate your assistance.

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.