The most important difference between the 9-1-1 and 2-1-1 services is that 9-1-1 handles calls that deal with life-threatening situations.

Westchester County has provided 9-1-1 service to its municipalities since July 1993. This service is a vital link for Westchester residents, visitors and workforce to immediately access assistance during an emergency.

2-1-1 serves as a confidential, comprehensive and primary entry point into community service information, referral and assistance. 2-1-1 offers information, referral, assessment and crisis support for health and human services to callers, helping them find the assistance they need to address the everyday challenges of living as well as those that develop during times of disaster and other community emergencies.

The 2-1-1 service is available 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day of the year with translation services available in over 200 languages. 2-1-1 resources are accessible 24 hours a day through the 2-1-1 Web site at www.hudson211.org.

9-1-1 services is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.