When should I call 9-1-1?
Call 9-1-1 anytime you need, or think you need, law enforcement, fire or emergency medical personnel. 

When should I NOT call 9-1-1?
Do not call 9-1-1 to ask if there was an earthquake, or when your power will be restored. Do not call to ask about weather, road or traffic conditions.

Can I call 9-1-1 from my cell phone?
Currently, cellular telephone calls for emergencies are routed to the local California Highway Patrol dispatch point. By law, cellular service providers are not permitted to access the emergency telephone system. This is because they are unable to provide location information.

Can I use 9-1-1 during a disaster?
If you have an immediate, life threatening need for assistance during a disaster, use 9-1-1. DO NOT use 9-1-1 during a disaster for any need that is not life threatening, or you risk overloading the system to the point where it can not serve those in jeopardy.

What if I don't speak English?
9-1-1 systems in the State of California provide built-in translation services for Spanish, Vietnamese, and Mandarin Chinese languages.

What if I can only communicate by TDD or Computer?
9-1-1 systems in California are currently equipped with TDD (Teletype Device for the Deaf) detectors and have access to TDD translation services.