911 is presently available to all residents in the City of Waynesboro and Augusta County. If you have an emergency in Waynesboro or Augusta County please keep some of the following information in mind.

• Do not program 911 into your telephone - you won't forget the number when you need it, and having it programmed into your phone makes your more likely to accidentally call 911.
• In times of natural disaster (hurricane, tornado, blizzard), the telephone system may go down. Although cellular systems are less likely to experience problems, it is still possible to lose cell service. When the telephone network is down you will not be able to call 911, so work on determining an alternate means of communication with family and/or friends before the disaster strikes. If you have special medical or other concerns that may be an issue in a disaster consult emergency personnel beforehand as well.
• Dial 911 only for an emergency. Emergencies include:
  • Any serious medical problem (i.e. chest pain, seizures, uncontrollable bleeding).
  • Any type of fire (i.e. car, building)
  • Any life-threatening situation (i.e. fights, persons with weapons).
  • Any crime in progress.
• Do not dial 911 for non-emergencies. Instead you should dial the agency's 7-digit telephone number listed in the phone book. Non-emergencies include:
  • Vehicle break-ins when the suspect is gone.
  • Vandalism when the suspect is gone.
  • Theft of property when the suspect is gone.
  • Panhandlers.
  • Intoxicated persons who are not disorderly.
  • Cars illegally parked and/or blocking streets or alleys (cars that are parked where they create a hazard to traffic should be reported through 911).
• In some busier areas 911 calls are routed through a computer if a dispatcher is not immediately available to answer. If you hear a recording, do not hang up. Dispatchers know that there are 911 calls queued and will put non-emergency 911 calls (they do happen) on hold to answer pending calls as soon as possible.
• If you dial 911 accidentally do not hang up. Tell the dispatcher that the call was placed by accident. If you hang up dispatcher must call you back, and if they are unable to reach you send emergency personnel to your location. This takes resources away from people who may need them.
• Try to report all the information you know about the incident calmly. Make sure you get certain details (i.e. eastbound or westbound lane of an interstate) correct. Do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you to.
• Although Enhanced 911 (E-911) tells dispatchers your location if you call from a land-based telephone, cellular 911 calls typically do not display the location of the caller. It is important that you tell the dispatcher all you can about your location. Keep in mind that if you are in an area with low signal quality or have a low battery the dispatcher may not be able to call you back if more information is needed.
• Listen to the dispatcher's instructions. Dispatchers often provide important instructions for how to make sure you stay safe and may also request your assistance in flagging down emergency personnel. Many dispatch centers have certified emergency medical dispatchers (EMDs) who can provide CPR and first aid instructions to you over the telephone.