The Folsom Police Communications Center answers all 9-1-1 calls for police, fire, and medical emergencies within the Folsom city limits.

Because non-emergency calls to 9-1-1 delay the dispatcher’s ability to take calls from true emergency callers, it’s important to only use 9-1-1 in an emergency.

An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department, or an ambulance. If you are ever in doubt of whether a situation is an emergency, you should call 9-1-1. It’s better to be safe and let the 9-1-1 dispatcher determine if you need emergency assistance.

If you call 9-1-1 with a situation that is not deemed to be an emergency, Folsom Police dispatchers will refer you to the non-emergency number 916-461-6400.

Make the right call. If it’s potentially life-threatening or you’re in doubt, don’t guess, call 9-1-1.

Examples of When to Call 9-1-1

• Heart attack or stroke
• House fire
• Physical violence of any kind
• Burglary or theft in progress
• Car accident with injuries
• Suspicious activity occurring now
• Anything else that seems like an emergency

When Not to Call 9-1-1

• For information
• When the power is out
• For paying tickets
• For your pet
• As a prank
• For a clogged storm drain

Individuals who are deaf, hearing- and speech-impaired, or in a situation where it is too dangerous to call 9-1-1 can use a text message to reach dispatchers.

Even though text to 9-1-1 is available, if you can make a voice call to 9-1-1, please call instead of texting.

To text 9-1-1, simply put 911 in the To: line of your text message. On your initial message, state what the emergency is and where the emergency is occurring. Be sure to respond to any text messages you may receive from the 9-1-1 dispatcher, and answer the questions as best as possible.

Please keep in mind:

• Location accuracy varies by phone carrier. Always state the location of the emergency in your initial text to 9-1-1.
• You must have a data plan to text to 9-1-1.
• Text to 9-1-1 will not work if your phone is in roaming mode.
• Photos and videos cannot be sent via text to 9-1-1.
• Text to 9-1-1 cannot be sent to more than one person. Do not send your message to anyone else besides 9-1-1.
• Text messages must be sent in English.