Emergency 911 Information

Enhanced 911 identifies the telephone number and address of a person placing the emergency call from a landline.

Telephone exchanges have the capability to identify the phone number from which the call is made. A computer database is developed which associates an address with the phone number. When a 911 call is made, the caller’s phone number is relayed to the computer which then displays the phone number and address on a video screen for the telecommunicator. Along with this information is what agency should respond (police, fire, ambulances)
Grundy County dispatches Sheriff Deputies, Grundy Center Police, the appropriate area Ambulances, fire departments and notifying surrounding counties to dispatch fire departments that have jurisdiction in our county.

State law restricts the information to E911 emergency use only. Anyone releasing this information will be subject to legal penalties.

Each landline has a $1.00 surcharge on their phone bill.

Under the state law, the funds received from the surcharge collections can only be spent on updates and equipment used within the PSAP(public safety answering point). No more than 25% of the annual budget can be carried over at the end of the fiscal year. If the year-end carry over is more than 25%, the state can require reduction of the surcharge.

Each farm or rural residence will have a street address, similar to houses in town. Each address outside city limits in the county will have a blue sign placed near the entrance to the drive.

For a new or replacement for a damaged or destroyed blue 911 sign, contact Grundy County IT/GIS Dept. at 319-824-5164

The most important part is that the telecommunicator will have the address information from the computer database and can relay exact address information to the emergency unit(s) responding.

Plat books which contain rural addresses may be purchased through the Grundy County Treasurers office. Road (911) Maps may be purchased at the Sheriff’s Office.

At the present time the information received by the telecommunicator shows the tower location and location of the caller. If you use your cellular phone and place an emergency 911 call, you will also be asked your location and your name and address.

Depending on your calling location, you call could be routed to one of many PSAP’s (public safety answering points). You may be in one county placing the call and your phone “hits” a tower in another county, your call could go there. Again, this is why you should know your location when placing a call.