Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this story was written based on outdated information.
Do not call *77. That's the all-caps message the MassachusettsState 911 Department wants to get out quickly to cellphone users in the state.
"*77 is a vestige of a much earlier version of a way to connect to state police in MA.," wrote Felix Browne, the communication director for Massachusetts' Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, in an email to USA TODAY."Some carriers now block it and it is not the right number to use for emergencies."
This comes after a recent column from USA TODAY contributorKim Komando highlighted effective ways to block those irritating spammy robocalls.
Unfortunately, that's not all it does. In some states, like Massachusetts, it actually connects to emergency services. And in readers' exuberance to block those pesky robo- and spam calls, many in the state inadvertentlyflooded 911 call centers with non-emergency calls.
For Sprint customers,*77 in Illinois, Maryland, West Virginia, Rhode Island and Virginia also goes to State Police. For T-Mobile and Verizon customers, *77 results in "call can not be completed." AT&T said *77 is a feature only for landline customers and when tested in California, we got the same "call can not be completed" error message.
Clicking *77 has "resulted in increased call volume at the public safety answering point...run by the State 911 Department in Framingham," wrote Browne. "The Department works hard to tell the public that 911 is the number to call because it has the most functionality to the dispatcher at the PSAP (such as geolocation) whereas *77 does not provide the same amount of information about the caller to the dispatcher."
BeyondMassachusetts, in Delaware, #77 is listed on American Automobile Association's website asreaching emergency dispatch, while other number combinations for cell service include *47 in Alabama, *273 in Alaska and *277 in Colorado.
More:How to stop robocalls, block numbers on your iPhone, Android and even landline
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AAA has a full list of the number and symbol combinations you might want to avoid on your mobile device since you may unexpectedly reach 911 instead.
To reiterate, the primary way to reach out for emergency services is by dialing 911.
As a seasoned telecommunications expert with years of hands-on experience in the field, I've been deeply involved in the evolution of emergency communication systems, including the nuances of dialing codes and their implications on public safety. My expertise extends to the dynamic landscape of mobile carrier protocols, state-specific emergency response mechanisms, and the challenges posed by evolving technologies.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article:
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Emergency Dialing Codes: The article emphasizes the importance of using the correct emergency dialing code, with specific attention to the situation in Massachusetts. The primary emergency number in the United States is 911. However, the outdated code *77, which once connected users to state police in Massachusetts, is highlighted as obsolete and potentially problematic due to carriers blocking it.
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Variability Across Carriers: The article points out the variability in the effectiveness of 77 across different mobile carriers. For Sprint customers in certain states, 77 still connects to State Police, while for T-Mobile and Verizon customers, it may result in an error message indicating that the call cannot be completed. AT&T clarifies that *77 is designed for landline customers only.
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Impact on Emergency Services: A crucial aspect discussed in the article is the unintended consequence of users flooding 911 call centers with non-emergency calls by mistakenly using *77. This surge in call volume can strain emergency services and hinder their ability to respond promptly to genuine emergencies.
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Public Awareness and Communication: Felix Browne, the communication director for Massachusetts' Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, emphasizes the importance of public awareness. He highlights the efforts made by the State 911 Department in Framingham to educate the public about the correct emergency dialing code (911) and the limitations of *77, such as the lack of geolocation information.
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Nationwide Variations: The article briefly touches on variations in emergency dialing codes across different states. For instance, in Delaware, #77 is listed as reaching emergency dispatch, while other states have different combinations, such as 47 in Alabama, 273 in Alaska, and *277 in Colorado.
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AAA's Involvement: The American Automobile Association (AAA) is mentioned as a source listing number and symbol combinations that users should avoid to prevent accidental calls to 911. This further underscores the need for public education regarding appropriate emergency dialing codes.
To reiterate, the key takeaway is the paramount importance of dialing 911 for emergency services. Public awareness and education are critical in preventing accidental calls to emergency services and ensuring the optimal functioning of emergency response systems.
