9-1-1 service is a vital part of our nation’s emergency response and disaster preparedness system. The Barrington Hills Police Department is a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for 9-1-1 calls.
When someone dials 9-1-1 from their landline phone, the name, address, and phone number will display on the screen where the call is being taken. Dispatchers verify this information with the caller to make sure what is displayed is correct. Wireless calls don’t show the exact location the call is coming from. These types of calls hit off the closest cell tower and are transferred to the nearest PSAP, which is why your call might not be answered in the town you are in. Technology is getting better and dispatchers are getting better locations of callers based on GPS coordinates. Once it is implemented fully, wireless E9-1-1 will provide an accurate location for 9-1-1 calls from wireless phones.
Other FCC rules regulate 9-1-1 for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), mobile satellite services, and Text Telephone Devices (TTYs), which the Department is equipped to handle.
Please remember that even though a cell phone may be old or not used anymore, rules and regulations require that these phones still be able to dial 9-1-1. Do not give these phones to children as toys, as they are still active and when used as toys, can tie up emergency lines that would be needed for real emergencies.
