10/18/2026
📱🚨 911 KNOWS WHERE I AM… RIGHT?
Did you know that when you call 911 from your cell phone in Carroll County, your call might initially reach a 911 center in another county?
When you dial 911, the wireless network helps route your call based on cell tower coverage and available location information.
For example, you could be standing in Burlington, Indiana, in Carroll County, but your phone may be connected to a cell tower in Howard County. Depending on how the call is routed, your call could initially reach Howard County Dispatch instead of Carroll County Dispatch.
📍 BUT DOESN’T 911 KNOW MY LOCATION?
Next Generation 911 (NG911) has greatly improved location technology, but your location isn’t always immediately available or perfectly accurate.
Your initial location may only be approximate, with more accurate information becoming available as the call continues. Buildings, terrain, and wireless coverage can also affect accuracy.
❓ THAT’S WHY WE ASK: “WHERE IS YOUR EMERGENCY?”
Even when a location appears on our screens, Carroll County dispatchers will still ask you to confirm where your emergency is happening.
This helps us make sure we’re sending the correct police, fire, or EMS personnel to the right location.
🚨 WHEN CALLING 911, REMEMBER:
✅ Know your town, street address, nearest intersection, or nearby landmarks.
✅ Answer the dispatcher’s location questions, even if you think we already know where you are.
✅ If your call reaches another county’s 911 center, DO NOT HANG UP! Stay on the line and let the dispatcher help get your call to the correct agency.
✅ Remember, the cell tower your phone connects to doesn’t necessarily determine which 911 center receives your call.
💛 Technology helps, but your voice matters most.
When seconds count, knowing WHERE makes a difference.
Carroll County Emergency Management & Public Safety Communications (911)
