Whether you are visiting for summer travel, or local events, knowing how to reach emergency services can help you stay prepared. Our region will welcome thousands of visitors for sporting events, concerts, festivals, and community gatherings throughout the year. We want everyone, whether you are local or visiting from another country, to know how to quickly get help in an emergency.
Emergency services can work differently depending on where you live. Taking a few minutes to understand how to contact 911, share your location, and access language assistance can help responders connect you to help faster when every second matters.
What visitors should know
Call 911
A voice call is the fastest and most reliable way to reach help in an emergency. Text to 911 may depend on your phone, carrier, roaming, Wi-Fi calling, location, and service connection. WhatsApp and other messaging apps cannot be used to contact 911.
Know your location
Be ready to share an address, landmark, venue, cross street, or nearby business. Knowing where you are can help responders find you faster.
Language help
911 call takers can connect interpreters to help callers in many languages. Tell the call taker the language you speak and help will be connected.
What travelers should know
Traveling Abroad
Emergency numbers are different around the world. Before you travel, look up the emergency numbers for your destination and save them in your phone. For country specific emergency information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s international travel information before you go.
Additional Public Safety & Community Resources
Crisis & Support
- 211 for Pierce County
- 311 for Tacoma
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Animal Poison Control Center 1-888-426-4435
- Animal/Pet Services in Pierce County
- Family Justice Center, Crystal Judson
- Poison Control Centers 1-800-222-1222
Law Enforcement & Federal Agencies
- ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives)
- Customs and Border Protection, U.S.
- DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)
- FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
- FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
- Homeland Security, U.S. Department
- Marshals Service, U.S. Western District of Washington
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Courts, Records & Public Information
- Court Case Records, Washington municipal, district, superior and appellate courts
- Courts Directory, Washington
- Court Records, Pierce County
- Pierce County LINX (Superior Court cases, court calendar, jail roster)
- Pierce County Superior Court Documents (Clerk of Pierce County Superior Court)
- Washington State Patrol Collision Records
- WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History background checks)
- Offender Search (Washington)
- Sex Offender Registration Program (Pierce County)