What Is 911?

Ages 3-5 Simple Explanation

You know how when you need help, you go find a grown-up? Well, 911 is a special phone number that grown-ups — and even kids — can call when they need help really fast. If someone is very sick, if there is a fire, or if someone is in danger, calling 911 brings helpers like firefighters, police officers, or doctors in an ambulance.

When you call 911, a real person answers the phone. That person is called a dispatcher, and their job is to listen to you, find out what is wrong, and send the right helpers to where you are. They are really kind and really good at their job.

You should only call 911 when it is a real emergency — like if a grown-up falls down and cannot get up, or if you see a fire. You should not call it to ask questions or just to see what happens, because the helpers need to be ready for people who really need them.

One of the best things you can learn is your address — the name of your street and your house number. That way, if you ever need to call 911, you can tell the dispatcher where you are so the helpers know exactly where to come. Your mom, dad, or another grown-up can help you learn it.

Ages 6-8 More Detail

911 is the phone number you call in the United States when there is a serious emergency. It connects you to a dispatcher — a person whose job is to answer the phone, figure out what kind of help you need, and send police officers, firefighters, or an ambulance to your location. You can dial 911 from any phone, including a cell phone, and the call is always free.

There are three main kinds of emergencies where you would call 911. First, medical emergencies — like if someone is very sick, cannot breathe, or is badly hurt. Second, fires — if you see a fire in a building, in a car, or spreading through a field. Third, crimes or danger — if someone is breaking into a house or if a person is being hurt by someone else.

When you call 911, stay calm and answer the dispatcher's questions. They will ask things like "What is your emergency?" and "Where are you?" Try to give your address or describe where you are as clearly as you can. Stay on the phone until the dispatcher tells you it is okay to hang up, because they might need more information from you.

It is really important to only call 911 for true emergencies. Calling 911 as a joke or because you are curious ties up the phone line, and that means someone who truly needs help might not be able to get through. If you are not sure whether something is an emergency, it is always okay to ask a trusted grown-up first.

Every kid should know a few things that can help in an emergency: your home address, a parent's phone number, and how to unlock a phone to dial 911. You do not need a password to make an emergency call on most cell phones — there is usually an "Emergency Call" button right on the lock screen. Practice finding it so you know where it is.

Ages 9-12 Full Explanation

911 is the universal emergency phone number in the United States, and it has been in use since the late 1960s. When you dial 911, your call goes to a Public Safety Answering Point — basically a call center staffed by trained dispatchers who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The dispatcher figures out what kind of emergency you are dealing with and sends the right responders: police, fire, or medical.

The system is designed to work from any phone. Landlines automatically send your address to the dispatcher, which is one reason emergency calls from home phones are so effective. Cell phones send your general location using GPS and cell tower data, but the location is not always exact, which is why dispatchers still ask where you are. You can even call 911 from a phone that does not have an active phone plan — any cell phone with a charged battery can reach 911.

When you call, the dispatcher will ask a series of quick questions: What is your emergency? Where are you? Is anyone hurt? Are you safe right now? Your job is to stay as calm as you can and give clear answers. The dispatcher is trained to guide you through the conversation, and in many cases, help is already being sent while you are still on the phone. Do not hang up until the dispatcher says you can.

Knowing when to call 911 is just as important as knowing how. It is for life-threatening situations: someone having a heart attack, a house on fire, a car crash with injuries, someone in immediate danger. It is not for things like a lost pet, a noise complaint, or a question about homework. For non-emergencies, most areas have a separate non-emergency number you can call instead. Misusing 911 takes dispatchers away from real emergencies and can slow down response times for people who truly need help.

One thing a lot of kids do not realize is that they can be the ones to make a difference in an emergency. If a parent or grandparent collapses and no other adult is around, you might be the only person who can call for help. That is why it is worth being prepared: memorize your home address, know a parent's phone number, and understand what counts as a real emergency. Having that knowledge could save someone's life — and that is not an exaggeration.