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1001 East Grant Street
Watseka, Illinois 60970

Notice of Inviting Bids - Radio Console System: Deadline March 5, 2024


Iroquois County 911 Premise Alert Program

The Illinois Premise Alert Program (Public Act 96-0788) provides for public Safety Agencies in the State of Illinois to allow people with special needs to provide information to Police File, and EMS personnel to be kept in a database. The information can then be provided to responders dealing with situations involving the Special Needs individuals.

You may fill out the form by clicking here.

Cell Phones and 9-1-1

Know about your cell phone and 9-1-1

  • Did you know that it is possible to dial 9-1-1 and not even know it?
  • Cell phones kept in purses or pockets may call 9-1-1 when bumped or sat on.
  • A cell phone with no service is still able to dial 9-1-1.
  • Cell phones locked in “emergency mode” may call 911.

Here are some ways to avoid dialing 9-1-1 by accident:

  • Do not give old cell phones to children to play with.
  • Know if your cell phone has an “emergency mode” and learn to use it properly.
  • Lock your keypad on your cell phone when it is not in use.
  • Texting to 9-1-1 in Iroquois County will NOT work.

Although wireless phones are capable of doing much more than just making phone calls, such as texting, sending photos, sending videos, and surfing the web to name a few, the 9-1-1 system is designed to only accept voice communications at this time. Other types of data sent over a cell phone cannot be interpreted by the system and cannot be received by a 9-1-1 call center.

Be sure your family and friends are educated on what a cell phone can and cannot do in an emergency!

Tips for 911 Calling

Tell the emergency operator the location of the emergency right away.
Provide the emergency operator with your wireless phone number, so if the call gets disconnected, the emergency operator can call you back.
If your wireless phone is not “initialized” (meaning you do not have a contract for service with a wireless service provider), and your emergency call gets disconnected, you must call the emergency operator back because the operator does not have your telephone number and cannot contact you.
Avoid programming your phone to automatically dial 911 when one button, such as the “9” key, is pressed. Unintentional wireless 911 calls, which often occur when auto-dial keys are inadvertently pressed, cause problems for emergency call centers.

A cell phone with no service is still able to call 9-1-1!