911 Information

What is 9-1-1?

9-1-1, the universal emergency telephone number, is the quickest and easiest way of reaching police, fire or emergency medical responders day or night when a person’s life, health or property is at risk. 9-1-1 is a free call from any traditional land or wireless phone as well as from TTY equipment.

When should you use 9-1-1?

9-1-1 is only to be used in emergency situations. An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, the fire department or an ambulance. If you are ever in doubt of whether a situation is an emergency you should call 9-1-1. It’s better to be safe and let the 9-1-1 call taker determine if you need emergency assistance.

Do not call 9-1-1:
  • for information
  • for directory assistance when you’re bored and just want to talk
  • for paying tickets
  • for your pet
  • as a prank

    • If you call 9-1-1 by mistake, do not hang up. Tell the call taker what happened so they know there really isn’t an emergency

What happens when I call 9-1-1?

Your 9-1-1 call is routed over special phone lines to a 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) where trained emergency response personnel will determine the type of emergency service needed.

Traditional Phone Service

When you call 9-1-1 from a traditional phone line, your emergency call will be sent to the 9-1-1 Center serving your community. The physical address of your location will be displayed to the 9-1-1 call-taker. Help the emergency responders find you; clearly display the number of your street address where it can be seen from the street. If you move or change your telephone service provider, be sure the new telephone company knows the correct physical address of your location (which may be different from your mailing address).

Wireless phone Service

When you call 9-1-1 from a cell phone, your emergency call will be sent to the 9-1-1 Center serving the area of the cell tower processing your call.

The actual location you are calling from may not be provided to the 9-1-1 call-taker receiving your call; be prepared to provide location information for the emergency being reported.

It may be necessary for the 9-1-1 call-taker to transfer you to another center responsible for the area where the emergency is located.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Ask the service provider how to update your location information should you move or travel with your equipment.
Be aware that you will not have phone service during power or cable service outages.

If you want to test your 9-1-1 service, call your local 9-1-1 Center’s regular ten-digit number to let them know that you would like to place a test call.

Who should know about 9-1-1

It is important that everyone in your family knows about 9-1-1 service. This may be especially important for the children and elderly living in your home. If an emergency occurs and there are no adults able to assist, your child’s ability to dial 9-1-1 could save his/her life and that of other family members.

Remember

9-1-1 is for emergencies only.

When you call 9-1-1

Stay calm and speak clearly
Stay on the line and follow instructions
Teach your children and everyone else in your home to use 9-1-1.
Make sure your telephone company has your correct address before an emergency strikes.

Police Dept.

Raymond J. Hayducka
Chief
540 Ridge Road
Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
732-329-4646

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