Emergency Contacts

When to Call 9-1-1

Call 9-1-1 for:

• Crimes in progress
• Medical emergencies
• Fires
• Situations where someone's safety is at immediate risk
• Serious collisions involving injuries or criminal offences

What to Expect When You Call

• A 9-1-1 operator will ask whether you need police, fire, or ambulance services.
• Stay calm and provide your location and details about the emergency.
• Remain on the line until the operator tells you it is okay to disconnect.

Calling from a Cell Phone

When calling from a mobile device:

• Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) improves location accuracy, but you should still be prepared to provide your exact location
• Stay on the line until instructed otherwise
• If you accidentally dial 9-1-1, do not hang up—tell the operator it was a mistake

Important Reminders

• Do not call 9-1-1 for non-emergency situations.
• Do not program 9-1-1 into your phone contacts.
• Do not test 9-1-1 to see if it is working.
• Keep old or unused cell phones out of reach of children, as they can still call 9-1-1.

Accessible 9-1-1 Services

Hamilton Police Service offers several ways for members of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Speech Impaired (DHHSI) community to communicate with 9-1-1. Choose the option that works best for you.

• Text with 9-1-1 (T9-1-1) — text-based access to 9-1-1 for registered users.
• Video Relay Service (VRS) — connect with 9-1-1 through an ASL interpreter using SRV Canada VRS.
• TTY/TDD — traditional text-based devices can still be used to communicate directly with 9-1-1 through HPS's NG9-1-1 system.

Response Priorities

Hamilton Police Service uses a Priority Response System to ensure emergencies receive the appropriate level of response. Once your information has been provided, please do not call back to request an estimated arrival time, as dispatchers cannot provide this information.