Disaster Preparedness

Long Beach, CA - All calls within the 562 area code will require dialing a full 10-digit telephone number beginning October 24, 2021.

The change for local 562 calls, previously only requiring seven digits, was ordered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in order to designate 988 as the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. 

Because the 562 area code has working 988 prefix phone numbers, mandatory 10-digit dialing is required for all local calls made on mobile phones; additionally, calls placed from landlines and wirelines will require 11-digit local dialing in the format of 1, plus the area code and telephone number.

When calling from a cell phone, even if you have a 562 number and place a call to a 562 number, you must include the area code when dialing. It is recommended that you update contact lists saved to your cell phone in compliance with the 10-digit format.

When calling from a landline phone or wireline device from a 562 number or any other number to another 562 number, you must dial 1 before the rest of the numbers. This may require you to reprogram your contact lists, automatic dialing settings and other equipment, such as fax machines, alarm systems and medical monitoring devices.

Residents should also check personal and business stationary, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact information, personal and pet identification tags and other such items to ensure the area code is included.   

The City’s 911 emergency calling system will not be affected.  Residents will continue to dial 911 directly in the event of an emergency requiring a police, fire or emergency medical response.

Although the dialing change happens this month for the 562 area code, the 988 dialing shortcut will not take effect nationwide until July 16, 2022. Until then, residents wishing to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline must continue to dial 1.800.273.8255(TALK).    

There are 82 area codes nationwide affected by the new dialing rule. In California, they include the 209, 530, 562, 626, 650, 707, 925, 949 and 951 area codes. After October 24, local calls dialed with only seven digits will reach a recording that the call cannot be completed as dialed. Callers must hang up and dial again using the correct dialing format.

For additional information, contact your local telephone service provider or visit the FCC website at https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/ten-digit-dialing.

About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health and Human Services; Parks, Recreation and Marine; Development Services; Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, 12 libraries, five golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov. Watch us on LBTV. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communication
The mission of the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications is to protect the lives and property of the community and first responders through comprehensive planning, training and communication to ensure that daily requests for emergency services, as well as response, recovery, and mitigation for major emergencies and disasters is completed in an effective and efficient manner.