Crisis Intervention & Hotlines

911 Silent Call Procedure​

The silent call procedure helps people with certain disabilities or concerns to communicate their needs. This method works using a touch-tone, landline telephone, or a cell phone.  Here’s how to use it:

• Call 911
• When the dispatcher answers, use your telephone’s keypad to “talk” to the dispatcher.
• Press 1 if you need police. Press 2 for fire. Press 3 for an ambulance.
• If the dispatcher asks you questions:
• Press 4 for “yes”. Press 5 for “no”.

If a Massachusetts dispatcher answers a 911 call and it is silent, they will go through these 

steps to see if there is a response. You do not have to remember the procedure; they will ask

 you while on the telephone. 

Crisis & Emergency Hotlines 

Elder Abuse Hotline - National - (800) 922-2275 Mass. - (855) 530-1796 

Massachusetts: Disabled Persons Protection Commission  - (800) 426-9009 - 

TTY - (888) 822-0350 

Mobile Mental Health Crisis Services  - (800)540-5806 

National Domestic Violence Hotline  -  (800)-799-7233 - TTY - (877)-521-2601 

National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration Helpline - 

(800) 662-4357 - TTY: 1 (800) 487-4889 

National Sexual Assault Hotline - (800) 656 4673 [24/7 hotline] 

Suicide Hotlines (Massachusetts) - Dial “988” Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - Boston: (617) 247-0220 

Poison Control - Phone: 1 (800) 222-1222 

Veterans Crisis Line - Phone: 1(800) 273-8255 - TTY: 1 (800) 799-4889 

Winchester Fire Department 32 Mount Vernon St. - (781) 729-1802 

Winchester Hospital 41 Highland Ave - (781) 729-9000 

Winchester Police 30 Mt Vernon St - (781) 729-1214