The 9-1-1 E system can be used in the following ways if you have an emergency and need immediate response from police, fire or ambulance services:

• If at home, dial 9-1-1.
• If at a business or other location, you may need to dial an outside line before dialing 9-1-1.
• If at a pay phone, dial 9-1-1 - no deposit is required.
• If using a cell phone, dial 9-1-1 and push the "send" button.
• TTY users, dial 9-1-1 then press the space bar intermittently until a response is received.
• Remain calm and speak clearly.
• Listen and answer questions.

When calling 9-1-1 you will be asked the following information:

1. Do you require police, fire or ambulance?
2. Name of person calling.
3. What type of emergency.
4. Any injuries, if applicable.
5. Any other pertinent information that the operator may require.

Parents should take the time to teach all members of their family the importance of 9-1-1 in order to ensure a safe and timely response to any emergency:

• Teach your children how and when to get help from 9-1-1.
• Teach your children their address and telephone number as soon as they are able to learn it.
• Keep it posted beside the telephone. This way it will be right there in a panic situation.
• Teach your children that if they must call 9-1-1 to answer all questions and stay on the phone until they are told to hang up.
• Teach your children the dangers of making prank 9-1-1 calls. (waste of a police officer's time in responding, and maybe tie an officer up when there is a real emergency somewhere else.

Brockville's 911 dispatch centre.

Check out the FCC web site about 911 services.