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Rockford 911 Division
The 911 Division is responsible for taking emergency 911 and non-emergency calls for the City of Rockford and dispatching the appropriate fire, police, and emergency medical equipment.
The goal of the 911 Center is to provide the vital link between citizens of Rockford and the appropriate emergency service agencies for fire, police, and emergency medical service.
Our goal is accomplished by receiving incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for service from citizens; providing pre-arrival medical instructions to the citizens until the appropriate agencies arrive at the scene; ensuring that citizens receive public safety services by dispatching the appropriate fire, police, and emergency medical service in the most expeditious manner.
The 911 Division is staffed by a Division Administrator, Training Supervisor, Technical Services Coordinator, MSAG (Master Street Addressing Guide) Technician, four Shift Supervisors, four Assistant Shift Supervisors, forty-one Telecommunicators, and a Secretary.
Emergency versus Non-Emergency
Emergency
Call 911 for the following:
- Fires
- Medical Emergencies
- Crimes in Progress
Non-Emergency
Call 815-966-2900 for the following:
Crimes not in progress, but require a police or fire response.
- How can hearing impaired callers use 911?
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Many of the hearing impaired have a TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) connected to their telephone. When dialing 911, TDD users should hit the space bar on their keyboard once to signal the call. The 911 Telecommunicator will have the ability to communicate with the caller by engaging the TDD/Keyboard.
For non-emergencies, TDD callers should dial 815-966-2900
- How can callers who don’t speak English use 911?
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The 911 Center uses the "Language Line", a service that provides a translator for non-English speaking callers. The translator will remain on the line throughout the call to relay information between the caller and the 911 Telecommunicator.
Mobile Phones & 911
Calling 911 From Cellular Phones
All calls placed to 911 from cellular phones will be routed to the closest 911 System. Provide the 911 Telecommunicator with your location, in addition to the reason for the call. Cellular phones do not provide an exact location. Therefore, it is more beneficial to use a landline or standard phone to dial 911 instead of a cellular phone, if available.
The following information will assist in the handling of your cellular call:
- State your location and direction of travel. Pay attention to street signs, landmarks, and highway markers.
- Give the Telecommunicator your cellular phone number in the event you are disconnected.
- Don't endanger your own life. If you witness a crime in progress, call 911 and provide all the information you have, such as vehicle or suspect descriptions, license place numbers, and any other pertinent facts.
Public Education & Awareness
911 personnel provide awareness training to 2nd-grade elementary students in the Rockford area. Students are able to simulate a 911 call through the use of an interactive phone simulator. 911 personnel are present at a number of community events which include: the Rockford Fire Safety Festival, the Illinois Law Enforcement Memorial Event at Cherryvale Mall, various school activities, etc.
Public Education is not limited to students. Many city organizations and clubs have requested 911 personnel to speak at their monthly meetings, luncheons, and gatherings.
Tours of the Rockford 911 Center are allowed through a small viewing area. Groups of 15 or fewer are preferred. To schedule a tour or speaker, please call 815-987-5797.