We're here to help
Our 9-1-1 Center is staffed 24 hours a day and 365 days a year to help respond to emergencies.
Our Call Takers are trained to support everyone including those with limited English, who are deaf or hard of hearing, who text 9-1-1, or who use teletypewriter machines.
Always call 9-1-1 for
- A police, fire, or medical emergency.
- A serious situation which poses a danger to life, property, or both.
- A serious crime such as robbery, domestic violence, or sexual assault.
- A downed power line.
Learn more about what to tell the 911 Call Taker here.
Learn more about our Smart911 program to help Call Takers have access to information about any medical conditions and get you the help you need here.
For non-emergency situations
- Past crimes: Report past crimes (incidents not in progress) including theft, burglaries, fraud, property damage, narcotics activity, nuisance, and lost property by calling (206) 625-5011 or online with the Seattle Police Department.
- Auto: If your vehicle is stolen, try (206) 625-5011. If no answer, call 9-1-1 even if the theft was in the past. Report motor vehicle collisions with the Washington State Patrol website here.
- Power Outage: Call Seattle City Light (206) 684-3000. View the current outage map here.
- Social Services: Call 211 for crisis intervention, utility assistance, food, housing, health, child care, after school programs, elder care, and more. Learn more at www.wa211.org.
- Mental Health: Call, text, or chat 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365. (Hyperlink: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | Washington State Department of Health)
- Other City Issues: To report issues with animals, dumping, encampments, infrastructure, and other non-emergencies call Customer Service Bureau at (206) 684-2489, use the "Find It, Fix It" app, or use the Customer Service Bureau website to file a request for a wide range of services.
Area Wide Emergencies
- In the case of an area-wide emergency, do not use your telephone for the first few hours following the event unless you have a life-threatening emergency and need to call 9-1-1.
Teach your children about 911
- Teach your children about what 911 is and when it is okay to call 911.
- Let them know that playing 911 is a bad idea because it may cause someone who really is in trouble to not get help as quickly as they need.