# Emergency Number Parameters

When you export emergency numbers from Cloud Voice, or build a file to import them in bulk, each column in the CSV (comma-separated values) file maps to one of the settings below. Use this reference to confirm which fields are mandatory, what values each field accepts, and the default Cloud Voice applies when a value is missing.

:::caution
Emergency numbers control how calls to emergency services (for example 911 in the US) leave your system. If the **Trunk**, **Strip**, or **Prepend for Emergency Number** value does not match what your carrier expects, an emergency call can fail to connect. After any bulk import, verify each entry against your carrier's dialing rules and place a test call to confirm emergency dialing still works.
:::

## Field reference

| Parameter | Required? | Accepted values and limits | Default |
|-----------|-----------|----------------------------|---------|
| **Name** | Required | Up to 63 characters. The characters `;` `"` `,` and `\` cannot be used. Each name must be unique across your emergency numbers. | - |
| **Emergency Number** | Required | Up to 31 characters. Digits, letters, and the symbols `(` `)` `.` `-` `+` `*` `#` are permitted. The number must be unique. | - |
| **Emergency Outbound Caller ID Priority** | Required | `emergency_first`: use the trunk's Emergency Outbound Caller ID. `ext_first`: use the extension's Emergency Outbound Caller ID. | `emergency_first` |
| **Trunk** | Required | The name of a trunk that already exists in your system. | - |
| **Trunk's Emergency Outbound Caller ID** | Optional | Up to 31 characters. Digits, letters, and the symbols `(` `)` `.` `-` `+` `*` `#` are permitted. | - |
| **Strip** | Optional | A whole number from `1` to `16`. | - |
| **Prepend for Emergency Number** | Optional | Up to 10 characters. Digits, letters, and the symbols `(` `)` `.` `-` `+` `*` `#` are permitted. | - |
| **Emergency Number Extension Scope** | Required | `All Extensions` or `Specific Extensions`. Determines which extensions may dial this emergency number. | `All Extensions` |
| **Extensions/Extension Groups** | Optional | One or more extension numbers or extension group names that already exist in your system. Separate multiple entries with `&`, for example `{group1}&{group2}&{number1}&{number2}`. | `All` |

:::note
The Emergency Outbound Caller ID is the number presented on outbound emergency calls. If you leave **Emergency Outbound Caller ID Priority** blank, Cloud Voice applies the default value `emergency_first`, which sends the trunk's Emergency Outbound Caller ID.
:::

## What Strip and Prepend do

`Strip` and `Prepend for Emergency Number` rewrite the dialed number before it is handed to the trunk, so it leaves your system in the exact form the carrier expects:

- **Strip** removes that many digits from the front of the number. For example, a Strip value of `1` turns `9911` into `911`.
- **Prepend for Emergency Number** adds the characters you specify to the front of the number. Stripping is applied first, then the prepend is added to what remains.

Both fields are optional. Leave them blank if users already dial the emergency number in the form your carrier accepts.

## How the extension scope affects the extension list

The **Extensions/Extension Groups** field is only meaningful when you are limiting who can dial the number. Keep the following in mind when you fill it in:

- If **Emergency Number Extension Scope** is set to `All Extensions`, anything you enter here is ignored and the field is stored as `All`.
- If you leave the field empty, it is also stored as `All`.
- Any extension or group name that does not already exist in your system is skipped during import.