call center

Rhode Island E-911

Welcome to the Rhode Island E-911 Uniform Emergency Telephone System Website

The Rhode Island Enhanced 9-1-1 Uniform Emergency Telephone System provides 24 hour, statewide emergency public safety communications services from one answering point located in North Scituate through the universal emergency number 9-1-1. High technical and operational standards, designed to reduce total response time, guide the system's processing of both wireline and wireless 911 calls.

It is the responsibility of the Rhode Island Enhanced 9-1-1 Uniform Emergency Telephone System to maintain a statewide emergency telephone system which consistently provides swift and reliable assistance to the public in response to their need for public safety emergency services.

9-1-1 is the universal emergency telephone number designed to give citizens an easy to remember phone number for POLICE, FIRE or MEDICAL emergencies. By dialing just three numbers, 9-1-1, you can be connected to a trained professional who is used to dealing with emergencies and who can route your call to the appropriate agency.

Department of Public Safety issues reminder of 3G phaseout and its impact on 911 calls

The Rhode Island Department of Public Safety today reminded Rhode Islanders with 3G phones that they may not be able to connect to 911 as mobile carriers complete the phase out of their 3G networks at the end of the year. 

“If you have an older mobile phone, be aware that you may need to get a new phone to ensure that you have coverage and access to 911,” said Arthur Martins, Director of E-911. “While this phase out will affect a small percentage of phones, we want to make sure that those who are impacted understand that they will not be able to connect with 911 after December 31, 2022.”

As of December 31, 2022, the major cell phone carriers will have completed the shut down of their 3G networks to accommodate more advanced network services. Many older cell phones will be unable to use data or to make or receive calls and texts, including calls to 911. This will affect 3G mobile phones and certain older 4G mobile phones that do not support Voice over LTE (VoLTE or HD Voice). 

Rhode Islanders are advised to contact their mobile phone provider for more information about how their phones may be impacted by the 3G phaseout. 

The Federal Communications Commission has additional info on the 3G phaseout here.