Good Tip When Using A Cell Phone in Emergency

Posted on: Tue, 03/11/2003 - 3:36am
Heather2's picture
Offline
Joined: 09/25/2001 - 09:00

I don't know about anywhere else, but here in Massachusetts, when you dial 911 on a cell phone, you are connected to the State Police Barricks in Framingham and they connect you to the local police. When you take a cell phone with you should have the emergency numbers to dial direct so as not to waste precious time.

Posted on: Tue, 03/11/2003 - 5:26am
abers's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/11/2001 - 09:00

Thanks for posting this...I have never heard of this. (I live in Western Mass.) Are you saying that we should carry the phone numbers of each police office for every town we are frequently driving through? I could see losing time just trying to figure out which town we're in and finding the right number. Do you know if it really takes a long time to be put through to the local office?

Posted on: Tue, 03/11/2003 - 7:45am
Heather2's picture
Offline
Joined: 09/25/2001 - 09:00

I mean the numbers of the emergency at your destination - say a school field trip or something.
Well, when I had my accident on Route 128 it seemed like forever but really it was probably only a minute.
[This message has been edited by Heather2 (edited March 11, 2003).]

Posted on: Tue, 03/11/2003 - 9:57am
Dawn's picture
Offline
Joined: 02/22/1999 - 09:00

I also remember feeling like it took forever to be patched through when I called 911 from a cell phone. I think I was living in Texas at the time. And still, a minute is a [b]very[/b] long time in an emergency!
------------------
Be safe,
~Dawn~

Posted on: Tue, 03/11/2003 - 11:20am
cynde's picture
Offline
Joined: 12/10/2002 - 09:00

I have never had any problems being connected on a 911 call with a cell phone. It goes through the same route as a land line. One problem with using a cell on a 911 call is they do not have your location. If you call from a land line they know exactly where you are, even if you are somehow cut off. It's something to think about, if you have the option.

Posted on: Wed, 03/12/2003 - 7:44am
Corvallis Mom's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/22/2001 - 09:00

This is also something recently addressed in Consumer Reports- be sure that you have a cell phone which will automatically switch to an analog signal if a digital signal is unavailable or you might find yourself unable to reach 911 at all. (Dire warning, I know, but its a pretty big problem out in the great West [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] )
Oh, and the other thing that I try to do is always know how to correctly tell a state/regional dispatcher exactly where I am via landmarks/milemarkers, whatever. That way even if my call gets misdirected to another call-center (which can happen with cellular traffic) they can redirect to the right agency.

Posted on: Sun, 03/30/2003 - 12:42am
michelle0123's picture
Offline
Joined: 03/29/2003 - 09:00

Thank you so much for that info! I am in Mass. and I didn't know they did that.

Peanut Free Store

More Articles

You already know that if you or your child has a peanut allergy you need to avoid peanut butter. Some...

There are many reasons why you may want to substitute almond flour for wheat flour in recipes. Of course, if you have a...

Are you looking for peanut-free candies as a special treat for a child with...

Do you have a child with peanut allergies and an upcoming birthday? Perhaps you'd like to bake a...

Most nut butters provide all the same benefits: an easy sandwich spread, a great dip for veggies, a fun addition to a smoothie. But not...