While we're on the subject of phones and 9-1-1 and disasters, here are a few communications tips. *Following a major disaster, do not call 9-1-1 unless your life or the lives of those around you are in danger.
*If there has been an earthquake, do not call 9-1-1 to tell them that there has been an earthquake. Trust me, they already know. Do not call to ask them when the shaking will stop. The fact that I mention these scenarios should give you a hint that they have happened in the past. In a major emergency, the 9-1-1 system can be brought down by too many calls. Informational numbers concerning power outages, water problems, shelters, etc will be established and posted for the community following a major disaster.
*Know your location! Dispatchers can not automatically detect your location if you are calling from a cell phone. It depends on what kind of phone you are calling from and how good the Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping is in your location. If you are calling from a landline, they can identify the origin of the call, but not the exact location. So, if you were in large building, like a school or office building, it wouldn't say exactly where you are (3rd floor, room 210 for example.)
*If you have a VOIP phone system (like Vonage, MagicJack or Skype), your 9-1-1 calls may be routed differently. Please click this FCC link to learn more about this.
*If the power goes out, cordless phones or phones tied to an electrically dependent base will not work. Have a spare, corded-type phone available to plug directly into the phone jack.
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