Frequently Asked Questions

A 24 hour public safety answering point for residents and visitors to Hancock County including all of the City of Weirton no matter if it is in Brooke or Hancock County. The 911 Communications Center personnel are employees of the Hancock County Commission who provide communications services (call taking and dispatching) for the public and emergency responders.

WHERE, the location or address of the emergency is the most important piece of information. (It is vital to be clear on the location because no matter what the problem is, help can’t be sent if it is unknown where to send the help.)
WHAT the emergency is.
WHEN, is it happening right now, did it just occur, or there has been a lapse of time.
WHO is involved, including you and any suspect(s), actor(s), or accused.
WEAPON information if it is applicable.

Cell phone calls use the nearest available tower. If the tower your 911 call goes to is outside of Hancock County then you will get the 911 Center where the cell tower is. For example: You are on Route 2 (Ohio River Blvd) just South of New Cumberland, you call 911 from your cell phone and you get Jefferson County 911… this is because your cell phone signal could not travel up and over the top of a hill in WV it went across the river and used a tower in Ohio.

Simply tell the 911 Operator that you need Hancock County 911, answer any questions they may have, and stay on the line to be transferred to Hancock County 911.

No. Cell phones without a service provider will still call 911 if the battery is charged. Every time a 911 Operator has to answer a 911 call from a child playing with a cell phone takes away from that 911’s availability to answer a true emergency call.

The most common explanation is: Many cell phones have an emergency mode that will dial 911 just by pressing the front of the phone. To avoid this, disable the feature or secure the phone in a manner that avoids it being touched while in the emergency mode.

No, the location of the cell phone does not automatically generate for the Hancock County 911 Operator.

• Because not all calls that come to Hancock County 911 are from callers in Hancock County.
• Because the 911 Operator does not know where you are at unless you say it.
• Because the location of the emergency is the most vital piece of information needed for help to be sent.

No, the location of the cell phone does not automatically generate for the Hancock County 911 Operator.

Call Hancock County Dispatch to check for any special burning bans as Air Quality Control issue them on a daily basis according to the quality of the air.

Outside of city limits

With the exception of Forest Fire Season, open burning is permitted at any hour.
During Forest Fire Season, open burning is permitted from 5pm to 7am only.

Inside of city limits

Check with your city.

Other Considerations

• Fires must be attended at all times.
• Clear a minimum of 10 feet to the bare mineral soil around what is being burned.
• If the fire escapes, you are liable for the cost of fighting the fire and damages caused to others.
• Violations of outdoor burning laws are punishable by monetary fine.

See important numbers page here.

See contact numbers page here.

WV does not issue alert levels restricting road travel during bad weather. It is best to use your own judgement as to whether or not you should be out driving in the current conditions, especially if it is non-essential travel.

The WV Division of Highways (DOH) maintains roads/streets with route numbers. An example of a secondary road route number may be 6/2… these route numbers are displayed on the green road signs.

The WV Division of Highways (DOH) maintains roads/streets with route numbers. An example of a secondary road route number may be 6/2… these route numbers are displayed on the green road signs.

The WV Division of Highways (DOH) maintains roads/streets with route numbers. An example of a secondary road route number may be 6/2… these route numbers are displayed on the green road signs.

Find contact numbers for the Assessors' and Tax Office here.

There are no local jails that hold prisoners for any extended amount of time. If someone is arrested and not released (typically meaning arraigned and bonded out), he/she will be housed at the WV Northern Regional Jail.

(304) 843-4067

A physical address is the actual location of your residence or business. It is needed to send help to the correct location. Proper 911 addressing is assigned and maintained through the Assessor’s Office. Questions concerning your proper physical address can be asked by contacting the Hancock County Assessor’s Office (Mapping Dept.).

See here for contact information.

See here for Dog Warden contact information.
(304) 797-8578 for Weirton Animal Control.

City of Weirton Animal Control only handles animal calls inside Weirton city limits.
Hancock County Dog Wardens only handle domestic animal calls.

Always start by contacting a supervisor or administrative personnel at the agency for whom the person works and ask for the proper procedure to file a complaint.

See here for contact information.

The State Police are primarily dispatched by their own communications center (in Moundsville). You can call the local number for the New Cumberland Barracks to reach them.

(304) 564-3854

If it is not an immediate emergency, contact your utility provider. The number is usually listed on your utility bill. The 911 Center reports non-emergency outages using the same phone numbers the public uses.