911 and Other Special Service Numbers

N11 is a three-digit shortcut to reach special community services. The numbers are set aside by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and operated by the provider of the service.

N11 Codes

• 211 - Public, health, and community services. WA211.org
• 311 - Non-emergency police, fire, and city/county business. Washington city and county governments oversee 311 calls.
• 511 - As of May 2023, calls to 511 for road and traffic conditions are no longer accepted. WSDOT.com/Travel/Real-time
• 711 - Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) for people with hearing loss. DSHS.wa.gov/ALTSA/ODHH/Telecommunication
• 811 - Free safety service to ask utility companies to mark underground lines and avoid damage. CallBeforeYouDig.org/Washington
• 911 - Emergency response. MIL.wa.gov/e911

FCC Regulations

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in CC Docket 92-105 specified how 211, 311, 511, 711, and 811 codes would be used for various types of public information.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or Text 988

On July 16, 2022, the FCC made the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Callers may dial 988 or text 988 to reach the lifeline.  

For 988 to work, the FCC required Washington state to start 10-digit dialing for its Eastern Washington area code 509 starting in 2021. The entire state of Washington is now operating under mandatory 10-digit dialing, even when making local calls.