When should I dial 9-1-1?   You should dial 9-1-1 anytime you need assistance from the Police or Fire Departments, or when you need an ambulance. If you are unsure whether you should dial 9-1-1 for something, dial it anyway. The dispatcher that answers can assist you.       How do I use 9-1-1?   The most important thing to remember is to stay calm. If the dispatcher cannot understand you, it is really difficult to provide the proper assistance.       Does the dispatch center have the ability to answer a TDD/TTY call?   Yes. Our computerized phone system can detect automatically if a call that has been answered is coming from a TTY device and will switch to that mode for the dispatcher.       Can I dial 9-1-1 from my cell phone?   In most areas you can dial 9-1-1 from your cell phone. You will be connected to the closest dispatch center based on the location of the cellular tower the call is coming from. This may not be the dispatch center that handles the area you are in, but they will be able to transfer you to the appropriate agency. It is important to remember that the dispatcher will not know exactly where you are at, so you must stay on the line and give them your location. Please see the Cellular 9-1-1 page for more information.       What if I don't know where I'm at when I call 9-1-1?   Look for landmarks, street signs, large buildings, etc that may help the dispatcher figure out where you are at. If others are around, ask them where you are.       Why is the 9-1-1 call taker asking so many questions?   The more information the call taker gets, the more they can tell the emergency personnel responding. This information allows the emergency personnel to be more prepared to help you. Northwest Central call takers are trained to give pre-arrival instructions in medical emergencies and need to ask specific questions in order to provide the proper instructions.       While the 9-1-1 call taker is speaking to me, is help being sent?   Once the basic information and reason for the 9-1-1 call is obtained, the 9-1-1 call taker sends the information to the appropriate dispatcher. That person sends the appropriate help to the caller. The call taker may remain on the line with the caller in order to provide medical pre-arrival instructions or to get further information about the problem. Pre-arrival instructions and additional information gathering is done after the call is initially given to the dispatcher.