Unintentional Cellular 9-1-1 Calls
("The Cell Phone Problem")

USE YOUR KEY LOCK FUNCTION TO STOP UNINTENTIONAL DIALING

9-1-1 centers around the country are being inundated by unintentional 9-1-1 calls.  In Clackamas County, approximately 40% of our cellular 9-1-1 calls are unintentional.  We often get calls where drivers are singing along with their car radio, people are moving furniture, having private conversations, and other discussions. 

Many areas are now using a 9-1-1 cell phone filter in an attempt to limit the number of false 9-1-1 calls that are received.  Clackamas County uses this filter.  Be prepared to press "1" for help after you are connected to 9-1-1 from a cell phone.  You should also read "Dialing 9-1-1 from your cell phone." for more in depth information.

Generally, the accidental calls occur because a cell phone was kept in a pocket, purse or other area where the the phone key pad may be pressed when sitting, moving or driving.  We also get 9-1-1 calls from infants who were given a cell phone to play with as a toy!

Calltakers must still try to determine if there is an emergency, and this can take up to two minutes to verify if the call was intentional or not.  For other people calling 9-1-1 for help, this can seem like an eternity.

Please deactivate any 9-1-1 auto-dial feature that might be hidden behind the 9 or 1 buttons.  Do not program 9-1-1 into your one button dial feature on your phone or this could needlessly tie up 9-1-1 lines.  Do not press your SOS button thinking it goes to the phone company, it does not, it goes to 9-1-1.  If possible, disable your SOS button.  If you need 9-1-1 you should dial 9-1-1 and not use a speed button.

USE YOUR KEY LOCK FUNCTION TO STOP UNINTENTIONAL DIALING
(or use a flip phone that protects the keys).