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. https://wa211.org/
• 311 - Non-emergency police, fire and municipal business. Local and municipal governments will administer 311 calls.
• 511 - Road and traffic conditions. The Department of Transportation or designated local departments of transportation will no longer administer 511 calls. The DOT's website and app will take its place as of May 18, 2023. www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/511/
• 711 - Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) for the speech and hearing impaired.
• 811 - Call before you dig number arranges for utilities to be located and marked. www.callbeforeyoudig.org
• 911 - Emergency response.

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: Dial 988. Call or text 988

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

In order for 988 to work, the FCC required Washington state to implement 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.