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Frequently Asked Questions
Questions? Contact us at info@qcomm911.org
The Civilian Crash Reporting System is a web site where civilians can complete their own crash report when the crash meets certain stipulations. For a civilian to complete their own crash report, the crash must be:
- on an Illinois Interstate or US/IL Route, and
- a single vehicle crash, and
- no injuries.
The web site is located at https://isp.illinois.gov/CrashReports/CrashReportDisclaimer.
Many 911 call centers follow protocols that guide callers through a sequence of questions to quickly obtain information necessary for dispatching the right responders to the right location. Call-takers may also provide instructions about what to do until help arrives. Even though protocols are designed to help call-takers reassure callers and take charge of the situation, the experience can be stressful for a 911 caller who is not accustomed to dealing with emergencies. When you call 911, be prepared to answer the call-taker’s questions, which may include:
- The location of the emergency, including the street address, and room/apartment number, if you’re in a large building
- The phone number you are calling from
- The nature of the emergency
- Details about the emergency, such as a physical description of a person who may have committed a crime, a description of any fire that may be burning, or a description of injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency
Remember, the call-taker’s questions are important to get the right kind of help to you as quickly as possible. Be prepared to follow any instructions the call-taker gives you. Many 911 centers can tell you exactly what to do until help arrives, such as providing step-by-step instructions to aid someone who is choking or needs first aid or CPR. Do not hang up until the call-taker instructs you to do so.
Even very young children can be taught about 911 and what to do in an emergency, as well as when not to call 911. 911 for Kids was created to make it easier for parents and teachers to educate children on when to call 911 and when not to, as a way to reduce the huge number of nonemergency calls for assistance. These resources can also provide information on how to teach a child how to call 911 using a cell phone, even if they don’t know the phone’s access code.
The site has many resources for educators and parents, including a free PDF, “Teaching Kids About Emergencies,” which includes guidance on how to prepare kids so they know what to do in the event of a medical emergency or fire as well as other events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, severe winter storms and thunderstorms. The PDF includes a printable form for Emergency Phone Numbers, which you can post on the refrigerator or another place your child will easily see it.
If you dial 911 by mistake, or if a child in your home dials 911 when no emergency exists, do not hang up – that could make 911 officials think that an emergency exists, and possibly send responders to your location. Instead, simply explain to the call-taker what happened and answer any questions that they have.
YES, a cell phone with no service often called an uninitialized phone is still capable of calling 911 in case of emergency. We often get calls from these phones when people give these phones to children to use after the service is shut off. If you give your child one of these phones it is best to try and disable any quick shortcut buttons that are set to dial 911. As always if they do, please stay on the line and explain the situation to the dispatcher.
Many deaf and hard of hearing callers must still use a teletypewriter (TTY) text telephone device or a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) to contact 911. Invented in the 1960s, these devices are cumbersome and slow to operate.
Some PSAPs can now accept text-to-911, in which you text a message to 911 from a mobile device instead of calling. Data from 2021 indicate that more than half of PSAPs are enabled for text-to-911, with a lot of variation among states. For more information on access to emergency services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing where you are, visit the National Association of the Deaf or visit the voluntary Text-to-911 Registry maintained by the Federal Communications Commission.
To obtain a copy of a 911 call received by QCOMM911, please send us a FOIA request with specific information that you are looking for. Request forms can be found in the FOIA section.
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