When Should I Call 911?

Madison Heights has a 911 system that is designed to link callers to a professional team of Dispatchers trained to handle police, fire, and medical emergencies as quickly as possible. Examples of such situations are:

• A crime in progress
• A fire
• A medical emergency

Do Not Call 911 if

Examples of situations when 911 should not be called are:

• Animal complaints
• An auto accident where there are no injuries
• A crime was committed but the offender is gone
• Requesting information or reporting minor complaints such as parking complaints
• Water main breaks

Automatic Location Identification System

Madison Height's 911 system has an automatic location identification system. This allows the Dispatchers receiving the 911 call to identify the address and the telephone number of the caller. If the caller is unable to speak, police will be dispatched to the caller's location to help with the unknown emergency.

Cell Phone Calls

When using a cell phone to call 911, the caller's location and phone number is available to the Dispatcher. The call may be handled by a Dispatcher at the State Police or Oakland County Sheriff's Department, depending on where you are when you make the call. Please remain calm. The Dispatcher will have to ask the questions necessary to determine your exact location in order to send the right emergency personnel and equipment. This may involve a transfer to the correct jurisdiction.

Speed Dial

Please do not program 911 into your speed dial. This causes accidental calls to 911, for example when the battery is low on cordless phones. It also causes more accidental calls to 911 due to user error. These innocent errors tie up a 911 Dispatcher and often causes police to be sent to locations where they are not needed.