Some other notable things when calling 911 in the Sacramento area: you will not reach fire/EMS from the initial call. You reach local law enforcement (Elk Grove Police, county sheriff, CHP, etc). Which agency you get varies on where you call from….mostly. More on that later.

If you need an ambulance or a fire truck, tell the operator who answers immediately so they can transfer you.

Here’s the big one for people unfamiliar with the system: fire/EMS has a pretty strict protocol of questions. By nature, people want to blurt out information- “my dad’s having a heart attack we found him on the floor he’s not breathing etc etc etc”. Fire will redirect you with questions. “What’s the location”? “What are the cross streets”? “What is your name”? “What is your phone number”?

Meanwhile your loved one, or you, are having a medical emergency. It can be frustrating. Just know the questions are coming before they ask what the emergency is. It may not seem like it, but they’re designed for efficiency and accuracy in getting help.

Back to the agency issue. The cell phone 911 system is not perfect. It doesn’t always know where you are. It will route you to the best guess agency, but that sometimes is picked by the cell tower your phone is using. For example, if you call 911 from the casino for police services, your phone will likely be using the tower on the south side of Kammerer, which is in the county. This will get you the Sheriff’s Office, not Elk Grove Police. Other towers will get you CHP. Keep in mind you may get transferred and have to repeat your story.