The First Thing You Should Say When You Call the Emergency Services on Your Cell Phone
In the confusion of a real emergency, it can be difficult to think right. Yes, it is important to give your name and explain the situation when you call 911, but there are some things you should tell them first if you are calling from a cell phone, just in case.
When you dial 911 from your cell phone, the call is intercepted by the nearest emergency call center, known as the Public Safety Answer Point (PSAP) . They receive your information and then send emergency personnel to you. But sometimes things don’t work as they should.
For example, J. D. Birsdorfer of The New York Times explains that because mobile phones are not tied to a fixed location or address like landlines, they are difficult to track. The FCC says they can see the location of the nearest cell tower, but that’s not enough to pinpoint where you are. And wasted time tracking you down can be the difference between life and death. In addition, some wireless carriers have had trouble making emergency calls in the past. Recently , AT&T wireless users in 14 states lost the ability to call emergency services for several hours. Back in 2014, Verizon Wireless had a similar glitch .
Needless to say, emergency calls are just as susceptible to crashes, malfunctions, callee ID confusion and other cell phone problems just like any other call. This is why when you call the emergency services from your cell phone, your exact location and your phone number should be the first piece of information you give in case you black out. In spite of everything, some emergency personnel may be brought to you and they can call you back if necessary.