The only time I have had to call 911 on my cellphone while riding was not for an emergency, but to report finding evidence from a crime (I couldn't think of too many other ways a cash drawer was going to be alongside the highway). The state police had no problems switching me to the right town's police department, and the police were quite appreciative of the call, as the robbery had only been a couple miles from where I found the drawer, they were still at the scene. When they found out I was on a bike and it was 5F out there they had someone up to me in 7 minutes. I was only starting to get cold. The thing about cellphones is you don't know who will benefit from your having one, and you really hope it will be someone else. It's a good insurance policy. Zip-lock sandwich bags help keep them dry.