Someone needs to call Claro and ask if the VOIP telephones they provide are 911 compatible or I guess you could just dial 911 like everyone else is doing today and see what happens.
Now that I have stopped shaking my head; Since 911 is intended to be an easier and quicker means of accessing help when it is required, we have to ask ourselves easier than what? The fact is 911 is supposed to be a one stop colamdo of sorts for assistance. An easier one telephone number option for those who have difficulty programming a 10 digit number into their phone and labeling it ambulance, or noise police.
Those who do not own a compatible telephone and choose not to get one, accept that they must continue to do as they do now - keep a list of numbers to call depending on the nature of the service required. Those pre-911 telephone numbers haven't changed.
The service is focused on the premise that users can dial 911 and get connected. In Canada, we have 911, and it has never occurred to me to ask for a number other than 911 to reach them. Then again, I haven't had the need to use a telephone system that isn't 911 compatible within the established system. I do remember that at least for a period of time, ads for these voip services back home made sure customers knew that 911 service wasn't offered to their subscribers. I can understand the attraction of ooma and vonage for those in this country that frequently make calls off island or choose for whatever reason not to irradiate their brains or private parts with a cell. However, these people, if they wish to make use of 911 while in the DR need to go out and buy a cheap burner cell phone and place it a nice glass case with a sign that reads, "in case of emergency break glass and dial 911." Those that see themselves lounging in a bistro of Park Ave. and still wish to be able to call 911 in Santiago because their burglar alarm is going off (on the North Coast), at least temporarily may have forgotten where they live.
I am sure that there is a real telephone on many desks in the 911 office. I don't think the service wants the public to be calling their favorite 911 dispatcher to ask how they are doing that day. The system is geared towards being accessed by dialing 911 so that any location data and database searches can be performed quickly and automatically (Ha!).
Let's face it, if you are away from home and your burglar alarm goes off, the siren will burn itself out long before the cops get there to steal everything the first set of thieves left behind. A cheap cellphone (not a smart phone, the user doesn't have to be particularly smart either) can be had for 1/2 the cost of a bag of dog food - go get one and you too can play 911 along with your friends and neighbors. Otherwise, just keep doing what you are doing now with your list of telephone numbers on a sticky next to the phone. Take the sticky with you if you aren't going to be at home.
It's sort of like buying a 1941 Packard Clipper and then being miffed that you can't buy leaded gasoline to put in it. Add your own lead if that's the car you want to drive. Don't wish to own a cell phone, fine, no problem, that's your choice. Cell phones make some things easier, accessing 911 happens to be one of those things in this country.