Communications 

CELLULAR PHONES

To report emergencies at MCAGCC using a Cellular Phone, DIAL (760) 830-3333.

If you dial 9-1-1 on your cellular phone you will be connected to the California Highway Patrol who will transfer your call to our dispatcher. This is not the fastest method, however you will still reach our dispatcher.

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phones

To report emergencies at MCAGCC using a VOIP provider/service
(like Vonage),
DIAL (760) 830-3333.

9-1-1 calls that go to a VOIP provider do not connect to an emergency dispatch center, they connect to an operator that must look up where the nearest emergency services are located. In local tests we have found that the internet operator has two tries to transfer the call to the correct agency. They usually think the caller is from the City of Twentynine Palms instead of MCAGCC. On a third attempt to transfer, the call gets dropped. The wasted time could mean the difference between life and death.

CORDLESS TELEPHONES

Cordless telephones require A/C  (electricity) to operate the base station.  Many people are under the impression that because the hand-set uses batteries that it will work during power outages.  Try it for yourself, unplug the power cord from your base station and see if you get a dial tone.  This is why we recommend each home have at least one (1) hard wire telephone that is not dependent on A/C for operation.  This way you would still be able to call
9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

FIRE - POLICE - MEDICAL

9-1-1 is the emergency number used throughout MCAGCC for reporting emergencies requiring Fire, Police or Medical assistance.

In the event of a 9-1-1 systems failure or malfunction, the following is our alternate emergency number that will directly connect you to our emergency 9-1-1 dispatcher.

(760) 830-3333
(760) 830-FIRE (3473)

801 military housing residents and off base residents, DIAL 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency and you will be connected to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dispatcher who will transfer your call to the appropriate emergency services agency.

The accuracy of all telephone numbers and addresses must be verified again by the dispatcher.

NOTE: WAIT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO HANG UP BEFORE YOU DO

Remain calm and give direct answers to the questions asked. Speak slowly and clearly. You will be asked additional questions so the dispatcher can send the right type of help. All questions are important. The dispatcher may also provide you with CRITICAL PRE-ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS, such as CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) or the Heimlich Maneuver. Understanding what happens when a 911 call is placed will help the system run more efficiently and will bring you the emergency medical service you need in the shortest possible time.

HOW YOU CAN HELP BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVES