Emergency Communications Center

The Cincinnati Emergency Communications Center (ECC) is the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for all 911 calls placed within the City of Cincinnati. In addition to voice 911 calls, the ECC also receives and processes 911 text calls.

The ECC not only processes emergency 911 calls, but also completes numerous activities in support of public safety. Employees dispatch first responders, monitor dispatch radio channels, relay pertinent information to responders, and to other agencies and businesses.

The ECC is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

---

Call 911 for Emergencies Only

Appropriate uses of 911 are instances of immediate danger or when there is a crime in progress, such as:

• breaking and entering
• assault
• rape
• shooting
• cutting/stabbing
• robbery
• any crime against a child
• missing person (if they are a child or an adult with a mental or physical disability)

• vehicle accident
• person with a weapon (gun/knife)
• suspicious situations
• medical emergencies
• fires
• electrical lines down
• gas leaks
• an immediate situation where someone can be injured or is injured

Calls for service for police, fire and/or medical responders are handled by civilian emergency telecommunicators who are trained and required to ask certain questions and provide emergency instructions.

---

How To Call 911 Effectively

• Stay calm.
• Know the address of the emergency and the number you are calling from.
• Wait for the call-taker to ask questions then answer clearly and calmly.
• If you reach a recording, don't hang up; listen to what it says.
• Let the call-taker guide the conversation.
• Follow all directions.
• Keep your eyes open so you can provide descriptions of suspects or information about the scene.
• Do not hang up the call until directed.

---

What Happens When I Call 911?

• The call-taker will ask you for the address or intersection where help is needed.
• The call-taker will conduct a thorough interview as to the nature of your call to determine the appropriate response.
• The call-taker will select an "incident code" in accordance with the severity of the situation and type of response required.
• The call is automatically sent to the police or fire dispatcher for that area.
• Available emergency responders are sent by the dispatcher in accordance with the nature of the call.
• Meanwhile, the call-taker may remain on the line with you to gather additional information or provide emergency instructions. This is not delaying help; we will have already alerted first responders.

---

Call 311 or 513-765-1212 for Non-Emergencies

Although they are important, please call 311 or 513-765-1212 less-serious crimes, including noise complaints, curfew violations, parking violations, barking dogs, or situations that occurred some time ago but still require a report.

The Cincinnati Police Department has an Online Crime Reporting System designed to make it easier and more convenient to file a police report without leaving home, however not every crime can be reported using this online system. See the CPD Online Crime Reporting page for details.

Please also use 513-765-1212 to request a phone number for your neighborhood police district or other police departments, or for general police department policy and procedure questions that do not require an immediate response.

By your using the non-emergency number, you ensure 911 lines are available for emergency calls. Deliberate misuse of 911 is a crime that endangers lives.

Emergency and life-threatening calls take priority over non-emergency calls. With this in mind, there may be events where the patrol officers are extremely busy with priority calls. Please be patient.

Learn more about 311

---