| Message |
December 31, 2024
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sonya Lopez-Clauson
Public Information Officer
(713) 806-9495
Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network Offers NYE Reminder
Save 9-1-1 for Life or Property Emergencies
Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network (GHC 9-1-1) reminds the public to dial non-emergency phone numbers instead of calling 9-1-1 to report party complaints, excessive noise, fireworks and other nuisances on New Year's Eve. These types of calls to 9-1-1 can tie up the phone lines and delay residents with LIFE-threatening emergencies receiving the response they need.
Traditionally New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for 9-1-1 call centers and emergency first responders. They are routinely overwhelmed by non-emergency calls for fireworks, loud noise and other complaint calls during holidays, which impact response times on more serious calls—like house fires, car accidents, heart attacks or other life-threatening emergency calls.
If you DO have a life-threatening emergency and need police, fire or medical responders:
• Call or text 9-1-1. Voice calls are best and fastest method.
• BE patient, STAY on the line and DON’T hang up till 9-1-1 answers - there may be possibility of heavy call volume.
• Answer all questions and follow instructions.
GHC 9-1-1 joins with local area public officials to stress the importance of celebrating New Year’s Eve safely and responsibly. Fireworks are illegal inside many cities. To report illegal use of fireworks or other non-emergencies contact the non-emergency phone number in your local area:
Houston: 713-884-3131 or 3-1-1 (for help with city services)
Harris County: 713-221-6000 or 3-1-1 (for help with county services)
Fort Bend: 281-341-4665
To find information for other jurisdictions inside GHC 9-1-1 territory: https://bit.ly/3zlqKkP
GHC 9-1-1 is responsible for providing the 9-1-1 calltaking technologies for 49 cities and the unincorporated areas of two counties: Harris and Fort Bend: www.911.org.
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