Emergency!

In an Emergency: Call or Text 911

Voice calls are the fastest way to get help. > Texting 911 is ONLY recommended when a voice call is not possible (e.g., poor signal) or not safe (e.g., an intruder or domestic violence situation).

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Texting 911 in Autauga County

Inbound and Outbound Texting 911 is available in Autauga County and most of Alabama.

How to Text 911:

• Recipient: Enter 911 in the “To” field.
• First Message: Keep it short. State your Location and whether you need Police, Fire, or Ambulance.
• Dialogue: Answer the call taker’s questions quickly. Use simple words; avoid slang, emojis, or abbreviations.
• Availability: If texting is unavailable in your current location, you should receive an automated “bounce-back” text telling you to make a voice call.

When to Call 911 vs. Non-Emergency

🚨 When to Call 911 (Emergencies)

An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department, or ambulance. Examples include:

• Life-Threatening Medical Issues: Difficulty breathing, chest pain, uncontrolled bleeding, or unconsciousness.
• Fires: Structure fires, vehicle fires, or spreading brush/wildland fires.
• Crimes in Progress: A robbery, fight, or seeing someone breaking into a home/car.
• Dangerous Traffic Situations: Car accidents with injuries or reckless drivers posing an immediate threat.

📞 When to Use Non-Emergency Numbers

Call non-emergency dispatch for situations that require a report or official presence but do not pose an immediate threat to life or property. Examples include:

• Reporting a crime that happened in the past (e.g., your car was broken into overnight).
• Noise complaints or barking dogs.
• Power outages (Call your utility provider first).
• Asking for general information.
• Reporting a non-hazardous animal issue.

Note: If you are unsure if your situation is an emergency, err on the side of caution and call 911. The dispatcher is trained to determine the level of response needed.

💡 Quick Tips for Callers

1. Know Your Location: This is the most important information you can provide. Look for mile markers, cross streets, or landmarks.
2. Stay Calm: Speak clearly so the dispatcher can gather information quickly.
3. Don’t Hang Up: Even if you dial 911 by mistake, stay on the line to tell the operator it was an accident. Otherwise, they must send a deputy to your location to check on you.

Contacts:

Agency	Purpose	Phone Number
Emergency Dispatch	All Life-Threatening Emergencies	911
Billingsley Volunteer FD	Non-Emergency / Fire Station	(334) 595-9115
Autauga County Sheriff	Non-Emergency Dispatch	(334) 361-2500
Poison Control	National Emergency Hotline	(800) 222-1222
Alabama Power	Report Outage / Downed Lines	(800) 888-2726
Central Alabama Electric	Report Outage / Downed Lines	(800) 545-5735

Printable Reference Tips

If you are printing this for your home, please write the following details at the bottom of the page:

1. Your Physical Address: ___________________________
2. Nearest Cross Street: ____________________________
3. Gate Code (if any): ______________________________