In 2015, Barrington Hills became a member of the QuadCom 9-1-1 Public Safety Communications System. Cellular and landline 9-1-1 emergency voice calls originating from Barrington Hills are answered by QuadCom emergency communications operators, 24/7.
In addition to voice 9-1-1 service, QuadCom is capable of receiving text-to-911 calls from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon customers living in or traveling through the QuadCom service area, which includes the Villages of Barrington Hills, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Sleepy Hollow, South Barrington, and West Dundee.
Text-to-911 is a beneficial service for residents, especially those with speech or hearing impairments. Wireless customers in the QuadCom 9-1-1 Dispatch System service area should always keep the following in mind when texting to 9-1-1:
- Customers should use the texting option only when calling 9-1-1 is not an option. Making a voice call is still the most efficient way to get access to emergency services. As with any communication to 911, the texting function should only be used for emergency situations. Emergency situations require a response from Police, Fire Department, and/or Emergency medical services.
- Because of limitations of text message routing, location of texter, carrier, and other factors, not all text messages from customers within our service area will be routed to QuadCom. Instead, people may receive a bounce-back message from their carrier. If a text to 9-1-1 for an emergency is not answered in a timely manner, customers should not hesitate to make a voice call to 9-1-1.
- Text messages should always include clear location information with the first text message sent to 9-1-1, along with the nature of the emergency. Unlike 9-1-1 voice calls, emergency personnel will not be able to determine location information for a customer sending a text message to 9-1-1, nor will they be able to speak with the person sending the text to quickly ascertain their location. Abbreviations and slang should never be used with text messages to 9-1-1.