​​​​​​Marengo County Emergency Communications District

The Marengo County 9-1-1 Communications Center is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 day a year.   Presently, the Center employees a  9-1-1 Director, an assistant director, and 8 full time dispatchers.  Click on the picture below

About 911

What Is Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1)?

Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) is an advanced emergency response system that improves the basic 9-1-1 service. Like standard 9-1-1, it routes emergency calls to the correct Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) based on the caller’s location.

However, E9-1-1 goes a step further by automatically displaying the caller’s phone number and address on the dispatcher’s computer screen.

When a call is received, the 9-1-1 call taker will usually ask the caller to confirm the displayed information to ensure accuracy.

In most areas, Enhanced 9-1-1 also provides phone number and location details for calls made from cellular or wireless phones, helping emergency responders locate callers more quickly—even if the caller is unable to speak or does not know their exact location.

When Should You Call 911?

In any emergency where seconds matter, call 9-1-1 right away. This includes situations requiring:

Police assistance

Fire department response

Emergency medical services (ambulance)

Or all three

Calling 9-1-1 quickly can save valuable time and potentially save lives.

The Evolution of 911

The three-digit number 911 was established as the universal emergency number in the United States, allowing residents to quickly request emergency help. Designed as a nationwide system, it provides the public with simple and immediate access to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), where trained personnel coordinate emergency response services.

To read about the history of 911

Learn more about Marengo County E-911

Teaching Children About 911

Even young children can learn to recognize an emergency and dial these three simple numbers. It’s important to teach children:

When it is appropriate to call 9-1-1

Their home address

Their phone number

However, children should only call 9-1-1 if an adult is unable to do so. Dispatchers typically need to speak with an adult to gather complete and accurate information.

Important to Know

9-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can call from any phone, including cell phones, pay phones, and TTY/TDD devices for the deaf or hard of hearing.

Calls to 9-1-1 are always free of charge.

What Is 9-1-1?

9-1-1 is the emergency phone number used throughout the United States—and in some other countries—to request immediate assistance from police, fire, or medical services. In certain areas, callers may also be connected to Poison Control by dialing 9-1-1, but it’s best to confirm this with local officials.

When you dial 9-1-1, your call is routed through dedicated emergency networks to the correct Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) based on your location. A trained dispatcher answers the call, gathers important information, and sends the appropriate emergency responders as quickly as possible.