9-1-1 Services

Non-Emergency Numbers for Police, Fire, and Ambulance

What is 9-1-1?

9-1-1 is a single emergency telephone number that makes it faster and easier for anyone to reach Police, Fire, or Ambulance Emergency Services.  The three digit number 9-1-1 number is brief and easy to remember.  Your call will be answered at the Central Emergency Reporting Bureau. The call taker will then forward your call to the appropriate agency - Police, Fire, or Ambulance.

When Should I Use 9-1-1?

When anything requires immediate response by emergency services of police, fire, ambulance.

9-1-1 should be used for emergencies only. Examples include serious medical problems (chest pains), life threatening situations (person with weapons), fires or crimes in progress. 

If you are not sure, call 9-1-1.

 9-1-1 Information Pamphlet.

How to Use 9-1-1

• If at home, dial 9-1-1.
• If at a business or other location, you may need to dial an outside line before you dial 9-1-1.
• If at a pay phone, dial 9-1-1. No coin is required.
• If using a cellular phone, give the exact location of the emergency.
• To reach T.D.D. service (Telephone Device for the Deaf) after you dial 9-1-1, press space bar intermittently until a response is received.
• When you call is answered the 9-1-1 call taker will ask if police, fire or ambulance service is required. Try to calmly indicate the assistance required for the situation. When prompted, provide the street name, number and municipality you are calling from.
• The Simcoe County 9-1-1 service will display the address you are calling from to the emergency call taker if the call has been made from the land line. If using a cellular phone, or if the incident is not occurring at the location you are calling from, you must indicate the address of the incident to the call taker.
• Calls from personal electronic security systems will not be accepted by the Simcoe County 9-1-1 service.
• Take time to teach all members of your household the importance of 9-1-1.

• Be sure to have at least one analog telephone in your home. Analog telephones do not require an electrical outlet and will continue to operate during power failures. Therefore, you will be able to contact 9-1-1 services.
• Advise the emergency call taker if you require police, ambulance or fire and confirm the location of the emergency.
• Try to remain calm and answer the call taker's questions. These questions are designed to get as much information as possible to send the appropriate emergency response.
• Listen to and follow directions for assistance.
• Be prepared to provide medical information and describe any person (gender, age, height, description of clothing) or vehicle (colour, type, last direction of travel) involved in the incident.
• If you are calling on behalf of someone else, try to give the address and phone number where the person who has the emergency is located.
  

When Should I Not Use 9-1-1?

9-1-1 is not to be used for general enquiries or administrative calls.  If you need Police, Fire, or Ambulance Services in a non-emergency, non-life threatening situation, please consult your local phone directory or non-emergency contact numbers. 

Do not use 9-1-1 in the case of non-life threatening power outages or to report fallen trees.  If you notice a downed power line (and no individual or people are in jeopardy) contact your local hydro provider.  For fallen trees, contact a local tree removal service listed in your telephone directory under "tree services."

9-1-1 Don'ts

• Do not call 9-1-1 for non-emergency situations.  Instead, call the non-emergency phone number for police, ambulance, or fire services.
• Unless your safety is at risk, don't hang up until the emergency call taker tells you to. If the call was accidental advise the call-taker before hanging up.
• Don't program 9-1-1 into any phone. It causes accidental dialing of 9-1-1, which ties up the phone lines and resources. Ensure your cellular phone is resting in a safe place with the key pad locked. This habit prevents accidental dialing of 9-1-1.
• Don't make false 9-1-1 calls. It is unlawful and can cause a delay in responding to a real emergency.
  

Mailing Address

In some cases Canada Post has assigned mailing addresses that differ from your actual Civic Street Address.  In this case, do not use the mailing address for 9-1-1 purposes.

When providing the address of where you are located to the 9-1-1 call taker, you only need to state the street number, unit number if applicable and municipality.

For example: 123 Anywhere Street, Unit 321, Any Town

If you have any questions regarding the County of Simcoe 9-1-1 System, please contact the 9-11 Services and Emergency Planning Department of the County of Simcoe.