Westchester County has provided 9-1-1 service to its municipalities since July 1993. In 2008, The Department of Emergency Services Communications Center also known as “60 Control” dispatched 90,500 calls for fire and EMS assistance. This service is a vital link for Westchester residents, visitors and workforce to immediately access assistance during an emergency.

What is 9-1-1?
9-1-1 is the universal emergency telephone number designed to give citizens an easy to remember number when they need the assistance of police, fire, or ambulance services in an emergency.

How do I use 9-1-1?
When you have an emergency, remain calm and dial 9-1-1.  When the call taker answers, state what your emergency is, location of the emergency, your name and call back phone number.  Do not hang up until you are instructed to do so.

When should I dial 9-1-1?
You should only dial 9-1-1 in an “emergency.”  A good rule to remember is to dial 9-1-1 to save a life, prevent a crime or report a fire

When should I not call 9-1-1?
Inappropriate use of the 9-1-1 system wastes much needed resources and ties up the 9-1-1 center operators. Making a prank 9-1-1 call is a crime

Who do I call for Non-Emergencies?
For all non-emergencies, use your local police department’s 7-digit non-emergency phone line.

Can the deaf and hearing or speech impaired use 9-1-1?
Yes. The 9-1-1 center is equipped with a “Telecommunications Device for the Deaf” (TDD/TTY).

Can I use 9-1-1 if I do not speak English?
Yes. The 9-1-1 center has the ability to use an interpreter service. The only thing you need to remember is dial 9-1-1 and tell the call taker the language you wish to communicate in.

To learn more about the 9-1-1 system, visit 9-1-1 for Kids or the E9-1-1 Institute.