(Mesquite, NV) - The Mesquite Police Department has introduced a campaign to make Mesquite residents aware that when an emergency situation arises in the Virgin Valley, a call to 9-1-1 can save lives and property. However, when residents dial 911 from their cell phone they end up with Las Vegas Dispatch.

Mesquite Police Chief Doug Law has introduced a campaign encouraging local residents to program their cell phone to dial (702) 346-6911, Mesquite Emergency Dispatch, or program the cell phone "Speed Dial Nine" to (702) 346-6911 to ensure prompt connection to Mesquite Emergency Dispatch.

“When emergency happens, 9-1-1 is always a number you should call, but for cell phone users in the Virgin Valley, in order to save time and/or potential confusion, we are encouraging users to program the Mesquite Emergency Dispatch direct line number into to their "Speed Dial Nine" number,” said Chief Law. “If a person doesn’t know how to program the their "Speed Dial", consult the help desk of the cell phone provider for assistance.

Presently in the Virgin Valley, cell phone callers dialing 9-1-1 are routed to the Las Vegas Dispatch Center and then transferred to Mesquite Dispatch. This takes time and if the caller forgets to tell Las Vegas dispatch the city where emergency response teams are needed; they may be sent to a similar address in the Las Vegas Valley.

Chief Law said the preferred method to call 9-1-1 is from a land line where the call goes directly to Mesquite Dispatch and the dispatcher knows the exact location of the phone should a caller be unable to complete the call.

Here are the routing summaries for emergency calls from the Virgin Valley:

*Cell Phones dialing 9-1-1 are routed to Las Vegas Dispatch; Callers must immediately tell dispatch their city and address location for the call to be routed to Mesquite Dispatch.

*Cell Phones programmed to dial (702) 346-6911 go directly to Mesquite Dispatch.

*Virgin Valley telephone land lines dialing 9-1-1 go directly to Mesquite Dispatch.

Chief Law said. "proper cell phone programming for emergency dispatch can help save lives giving emergency first responders the correct address where help is needed."

For additional information on how to program your cell phone, go to Speed Dial Nine