FAQs • Columbia County • CivicEngage

Who pays for 911?: In most areas each household and business pays a small monthly fee for 9-1-1 service that appears on their phone bill. There is no per-call charge for calling 9-1-1. However, EMS/ambulances dispatched through 9-1-1 may charge for taking someone to the hospital; this is a separate ambulance charge, not a 9-1-1 charge.

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Emergency Management

1. When Should I Call 911?: 911 calls are only for very emergent situations such as structure or wild land fires, medical emergencies, or in-progress crimes. Click the link below to learn more about when to call 911 and what makes for a real emergency.
When To Call 911

2. What will I be asked when I call 911?: The very first thing you will be asked is 'WHERE is the location of the emergency". We will need an address or solid location in case the call is interrupted or cut off. Having the location allows us to get help coming even if the caller is no longer able to talk. Additional questions, if possible, will be asking about WHAT is happening, WHEN it is happening (now?earlier?)and WHO it is happening to and HOW many. If there is time and it is possible for the caller to talk, we will be asking many other questions that can make a difference in how much help we are sending, what kind of help we are sending, and whether the caller and the first responders are in any danger when they arrive on scene. We will also determine whether we need to stay on the phone with the caller until help arrives in order to update the first responders to changing scene or to provide helpful instructions for the caller.
We understand that when something emergent is happening to a caller that it may seem a waste of time to keep asking questions but just know that while we are talking to the caller we are simultaneously dispatching help. We have been trained to handle both aspects of a call at the same time. Being able to get as much information from a caller can make a huge difference for those involved both on the caller's end and for those responding.

3. Does My Cell Phone Show My Location?: Yes and no. Unlike a landline, cell phones will not provide an address for your location. However, more and more 911 call centers are now able to receive a latitude and longitude of a cell phone caller. This information can be helpful in getting assistance to a caller that is not completely sure of where they are. At the very least, a 911 call center will receive information from a cell call that links that call to the cell tower that picked up the call signal. This information, while helpful, is generally not enough for the 911 call center to determine the location of the caller. We recommend that all cell callers pay attention to their location especially when travelling or hiking.
For more information on cell calls to 911, click the link below. Tips for Cell Phone Users

4. Can I text to 911?: At this time Columbia County Dispatch is unable to accept any text-to-911 messages. When this changes for our county we will update. Please just call from your cell or landline.

5. What if 911 caller is deaf or hearing/speech impaired?: E911 in Columbia County DOES NOT accept text-to-911 messages at this time. If you or someone you know is hearing or speech impaired please use either a TTY (teletypewriter) or have someone call that can provide interpretation for you. If you text 911 in our county you will receive a bounce-back message that will tell you we are unable to accept texting at this time and to call 911. We will let the public know when we are up and running with text-to-911. 911 For Hearing or Speech Impaired Information

6. Who pays for 911?: In most areas each household and business pays a small monthly fee for 9-1-1 service that appears on their phone bill. There is no per-call charge for calling 9-1-1. However, EMS/ambulances dispatched through 9-1-1 may charge for taking someone to the hospital; this is a separate ambulance charge, not a 9-1-1 charge.

7. How can I teach my child to call 911?: It's important to teach young children about 911. Age 4 is a great time to start and one way to teach them is with a cell phone 911 call simulator app you can download. Check with your service provider or the online app store for you phone to download this important teaching too.
Many people are opting out of having a landline in their homes and with cell phones so prevalent, it is important that your kids know how to access your phone and call 911. They also need to know when it is important to call and when it is not important to call. The link below has some excellent tips for teaching your kids how to use 911 for emergencies. Tips for Teaching Kids to Dial 911

8. I accidentally called 911, am I in trouble?: NO! Absolutely not. It happens. But if you do accidentally call 911 DON'T HANG UP. Stay on the phone and let 911 know that it was an accidental call. If you do hang up we will call you back to make sure there is truly no emergency. Don't be embarrassed! This happens quite a bit at 911 centers around the country and we only want to be sure you are safe and not in need of any assistance.
There are ways to be sure that you don't accidentally dial 911. Always keep your phone locked, especially when it is in your pocket or purse. Many of the accidental calls to 911 are the results of a phone that was in a pocket or a bag and the phone was not locked. DO NOT add 911 to your speed dial list. Also, don't let your kids play with your phone.
But if you or your child accidentally dials 911 please just stay on the phone. We only want to know that you and yours are safe and sound.

9. How can I prepare my own disaster kit?: Having a great check list is a good place to start and at the link below to Ready.gov you will find many of the answers to building your and your family's disaster kit. Since all families have different needs, you can gather the basic information at Ready.gov and then adapt it to fit you or your family's needs including your pets!
The link will also give you additional information on creating Emergency Plans for your kids, parents, and when you are commuting. It's an ideal place to begin creating an emergency kit as well as a strong emergency plan for your family. Preparing a Disaster Kit

10. How much water should I store for emergencies and how long can it be safely stored?: The recommended amount is at least one gallon of water per person for three days, for drinking and sanitation. Because a person or family's need for water may vary based on age, medical conditions, and climate, that amount is just a basic recommendation. For more information on water tips including rationing, storage, and water treatment please visit the link below at Ready.gov Water

11. Sheltering place - What does that mean and what if I am not at home?: Sheltering in place means just that; an emergency is occurring and to stay safe you may need to shelter in place even if that means in your vehicle. Where you stay may depend on the type of emergency and the amount of time you will have to find a safe sheltering place.
We have included a link to CDC.gov with excellent information on sheltering in place and how to stay safe until the emergency is over. Sheltering in Place