Emergency — Calling 911

In the United States, 911 is the universal emergency telephone number for police, fire, and medical emergencies. Calling 911 is free from any phone, including cell phones with no active service plan, and connects you immediately to a local emergency dispatcher who is trained to gather information and dispatch the appropriate responders. When you call 911, the most important things the dispatcher needs are: your location (address or intersection, including city and state), the nature of the emergency, and your callback number in case the call is disconnected. Stay on the line — dispatchers are trained to keep callers calm, provide instructions (including how to perform CPR), and relay information to responding units in real time. Do not hang up unless the dispatcher tells you it is safe to do so. If you do not speak English, say your language as clearly as possible — for example, "Spanish," "Vietnamese," or "Tagalog" — immediately after the call connects. Dispatchers in the US have access to over-the-phone interpreters for hundreds of languages and can connect within seconds. You do not need to speak English to get emergency help. Common signs of a stroke that require immediate 911 calls include: sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side), sudden confusion or trouble speaking, sudden vision problems, sudden severe headache with no known cause, or sudden trouble walking. For heart attack, call 911 at the first sign of chest pain or pressure, especially if it radiates to the arm or jaw, or is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea. Time is tissue — in both stroke and heart attack, every minute of delay increases permanent damage.