When to Call 911

Emergency Responses

A emergency situation is when the safety of people or property are at risk. 

Examples of 9-1-1 emergencies include: a fire; crime in progress; or a medical crisis.

For emergency assistance, dial 9-1-1 on your telephone. 

An operator will answer your call and request which service is required. You will then be connected to either the police, fire or ambulance service in your area. Please stay on the line until told to hang up. Try to remain calm, let the operator control the conversation and answer all questions as best you can. In emergency situations, help is on the way as you are giving the information.

If you accidentally dial 9-1-1, please remain on the line and explain to the call taker that no emergency exists. If you don't, call takers and emergency personnel are forced to waste valuable time and resources tracking you down to confirm that no emergency exists.

When calling 9-1-1:

• From a cellular phone you must specify that you are using such and be prepared to give your location, including the city or town.
• From a business or other locations you may need to dial an outside line before dialing 9-1-1.
• At a pay phone, a coin is not necessary to call 9-1-1.
• Do not pre-program 9-1-1 into your telephone, this can cause dialing problems if the battery is low on cordless phones or the button is hit accidentally.

Non-Emergency Responses

It is not an emergency when immediate action is not necessary. For non-emergency calls or for general information, do not dial 9-1-1.

Examples of a non-emergency situation include: 

• Minor traffic accidents without injuries
• Noise complaints
• Bylaw violations
• Non-urgent medical concerns
• General police inquiries

If the incident is not life threatening or dangerous, then call our non-emergency line.

• 1 District - St. Catharines & Thorold
  T: 905-688-4111 Ext: 1024233
• 2 District - Niagara Falls & Niagara on the Lake
  T: 905-688-4111 Ext: 1022200
• 3 District - Welland & Pelham
  T: 905-688-4111 Ext: 1023300
• 5 District - Fort Erie
  T: 905-871-2300 
• 6 District - Port Colborne & Wainfleet
  T: 905-735-7811 
• 8 District - Grimsby, Lincoln & West Lincoln
  T: 905-945-2211