Free 911 emergency calls on deactivated cell phones!

**xanndra** · 11-25-2001, 10:54 AM

I found the following information very interesting. I know a lot of people pay a monthly service for a cell phone that they keep only for emergencies. BUT-----I have never seen this information publicly distributed.http://www.post-gazette.com/consumer...anos0925p5.asp

If you are on a tight budget, check with your local police department. The Findlay police department, for example, collects old cell phones and gives them to residents who request them. Officer Jeff O'Donnell says his department has collected 90 cell phones so far.

"We tell people they can call 911 only and they can't receive any incoming calls," O'Donnell says.

The Findlay police modeled their program after one offered by Mt. Lebanon police. These programs work because of a federal law that says all 911 calls must be connected.

The Federal Communication Commission's Meribeth McCarrick says, "FCC rules require wireless carriers to forward all 911 calls to the appropriate public safety answering point even if the call is coming from someone who is not a subscriber."

McCarrick says that means even if the phone is deactivated, as long as the phone is in working order, the caller can reach 911. You must remember to keep the phone battery charged and that you have no number for 911 to call you back.

**Advertisement** · 11-25-2001 10:54 AM

**Itsamama** · 11-25-2001, 11:16 AM

Keeping an unused cell phone in the car (& plugged-in), at all times, is a great idea that we gleaned from our son, who used to sell cell phones. You never know when it might come in handy. Passing them on to the police department is a great idea. I'm going to check with the local P.D. to see if they know of such a program.
Great post!

**wendall** · 11-25-2001, 11:16 AM

I was reading the message about cell phones for 911 uses.
I work for the Strafford County Attorney's Office in New Hampshire. We are the DA, prosecutors office but are call County Attorney...it's just a NH thing...
Anyways, we have Victims Assistance in violent crimes which include domestic abuse...we also provide cell phones for 911 calling. So check with other agencies not just police.
Kootoes to you for posting this...it could save a life.
No one should be or feel alone when they are being hurt whether you are an adult or child.
Be safe.

**rbward9598** · 11-25-2001, 11:21 AM

Thank You!! This is a great post!!! Let's keep this BUMPED so everyone gets a chance to read!!!

**mlathroum** · 11-25-2001, 01:40 PM

In Maryland old cell phones are also collected. Here they are used for domestic violence victims. Thank You for posting this. If you have an old cell phone that won't be used please call your local police agency that could use it.
I agree a life could be saved by this. What better Freebie than that!!

**sparklieshoes** · 11-25-2001, 01:58 PM

I too, used to work for a cellular carrier and know that if you have a deactivated phone that you can still call 9ll. Just be sure that the phone is in working condition and is charged.

**sheenajungle** · 11-25-2001, 03:04 PM

interesting, thanks

**xanndra** · 11-28-2001, 07:47 AM

Bump

**tdsma** · 11-28-2001, 10:20 AM

I have a Nokia "TracFone" that you buy pre-paid phone cards for rather than a monthly service fee...according to their website, this works only if you have the speed dial emergency feature (on this phone it's hold the "9" key down for a while)...dialing "9-1-1" supposedly won't work on a deactivated phone. don't know if this is relevant only to this type of phone or not??

**Slickvitt** · 11-28-2001, 11:01 AM

they distribute them to women who are at risk at domestic abuse and im guessing if their abuser gets out of jail.
I have 2 cell phones, and one a tracfone,i just havent decided to do with either since none are currently being used for financial reasons.
i may get the tracfone reactivated for personal use and 911 calls are free on tracfones and with all other cellphones.

BY THE WAY.....all local telephone companies used to do this if you had your telephone service disconnected.Leave a line open and the only call you could make was to 911.I dont think they do it anymore but they should start it back for many individuals dont have phone service and cant afford it PLUS what they charge for the 911 service,its more than enough pays for the ones who have never called the number and the ones who dont have active phone service in their homes to have a open line to call them.
I say lets keep this one bumped and write your local newspapers in the form of an editorial in hopes of someone reading it and keeping the information out there so the neighborhood where you live can do a program like this.! I dont live in Louisville,but hey,domestic violence is everywhere and affects anyone involved!

**xanndra** · 11-29-2001, 11:12 AM

bump

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