Why does the 9-1-1 call-taker sometimes transfer my call to another person?
When you call from a phone installed at a residence, business, or a pay phone, the fixed location of the phone determines which 9-1-1 center you reach. All of these phones have a special secondary number on file with the phone company that directs your call to the correct 9-1-1 center or Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for your area.

If you call from a cell phone the procedure is different. Cell phones transmit to the nearest cellular tower and from there to the closest 9-1-1 center. The 9-1-1 center is determined by the location of the cell tower. Sometimes if you are close to the border between two 9-1-1 centers you might get the wrong center. However, the 9-1-1 center employees are quick to recognize this and able to transfer you to the correct 9-1-1 center with a single button click.

In other instances a PSAP may not handle certain call types for the area you are in such as police, fire, or medical calls. In those cases you might speak to more than one dispatcher, as each 9-1-1 center involved gathers the information that they need.

Show All Answers

1. What information do I need to provide when I call 9-1-1?
2. Why does 9-1-1 ask so many questions?
3. Is help being sent while I am answering all the questions being asked by 9-1-1?
4. How does the 9-1-1 Center know my location when I call from a cell phone?
5. What should I do if I accidentally call 9-1-1?
6. What should I teach my child about calling 9-1-1?
7. Is the Butler County ECC able to assist callers who do not speak English?
8. Does the Butler County ECC have the ability to assist hearing and speech impaired callers?
9. I was trying to make a long distance call from my office and got 9-1-1 by mistake. Why does this happen?
10. Who pays for 9-1-1?
11. Why does the 9-1-1 call-taker sometimes transfer my call to another person?
12. Reverse911 - Do you already have my phone number?
13. Reverse911 - What if I have voice over internet phone service?
14. Reverse911 - I am hearing impaired and have a TTY/TDD device ... Will I still receive emergency notifications?
15. Reverse911 - Will my number be sold or shared?
16. Reverse911 - I have call screening to discourage telemarketers. Will I receive Reverse 911?
17. Reverse911 - Can I add more than one cell phone number to my address?
18. Reverse911 - I live in a remote area, sometimes my location is hard to find.
19. Reverse911 - I did not get called during a recent event. How can I be sure my information is correct?