How to use 9-1-1

Dialing 9-1-1 is easy, but depending on what kind of phone you are calling from, there may be other things to consider.

If you are dialing from a regular home phone (aka landline) you may pick up the phone and dial 9-1-1.  Dialing 9-1-1 from a landline in Clackamas County will connect you directly with a call taker.

If you are dialing from a PBX business phone, you may have to dial 9-9-1-1 to report and emergency.  If you normally need to dial 9 to get an outside line, you are probably on a PBX system.  You should verify with your employer or phone provider to determin if you need to dial 9-9-1-1 instead of 9-1-1 to report an emergency.

You may dial 9-1-1 from your cell phone, but if you live in the greater Portland metropolitan area, it is likely that when you call from your cell phone you will get the following message:

"You have reached Clackamas (or another county's) 9-1-1, do not hang up.  For help, say "help" after the tone"  You would then hear a tone and an open line sound.  You should say "help" or any other word or noise to trigger your transfer to a dispatcher.  The message will go on to say.  "To reach a dispatcher, press 1 at any time, or say "help" at the tone."  Again, you will hear a tone, and an open line sound.  You may either press "1" or say "help" to get to a call taker.  The instructions are repeated in Spanish.

It is important to note that you can press "1" at any time after the recording begins.

You may dial 9-1-1 from a VoIP (Internet phone).

Please check with your service provider for details, and please read Dialing 9-1-1 from your VoIP (Internet) phones (explanation of issues and problems).