Nine-one-one is only to be used ONLY in emergency situations. An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police/sheriff, the fire department or an ambulance. If you are ever in doubt of whether a situation is an emergency you should call 9-1-1. It's better to be safe and let the 9-1-1 call taker determine if you need emergency assistance.

Examples of When to Call 9-1-1:     Heart attack or stroke     House fire     Domestic violence     Burglary or theft in progress     Car accidents     Suspicious activities     Anything else that seems like an emergency!

Do not call 9-1-1
    for information
    when the power is out
    to report a broken fire hydrant
    when your water pipes burst
    to get a ride for doctor's appointment
    for paying tickets
    for your pet
    as a prank

Never Prank Call 9-1-1
It's a prank call when someone calls 9-1-1 for a joke, or calls 9-1-1 and hangs up. If 9-1-1 lines or call takers are busy with prank calls, someone with a real emergency may not be able to get the help they need. In most places, it's against the law to make prank 9-1-1 calls.