Media Pager: (919) 380-4240

Please let us know what you need and when you need it by leaving a message on our media pager – don’t just leave your callback number. By providing details on the pager, we can work effectively to get the right person to respond to you as quickly as possible. A member of our Public Information team monitors the Media Pager 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. Our goal is to return pages within 10 minutes.

Contacts

Have a question or need an interview? Leave a message on our Media Pager at (919) 380-4240 and get a call back in 10 minutes 24/7.

Media are welcome to call Town staff members directly weekdays during regular business hours; you don’t need to be “cleared” through Public Information. On nights, holidays and weekends, please use our Media Pager.

Media can also call Town Council members directly; however, it’s usually quicker to go through the Town Clerk's Office since the Council members don’t keep regular office hours at Town Hall, and the Town Clerk can access Council calendars electronically. This is particularly helpful if you need an interview, especially same day.

Please don’t call individual fire stations

Firefighters work in crews on shifts that vary, and crews typically don’t have information about fire calls throughout Town. So, calling individual stations will waste your time and may result in waking up firefighters who are trying to rest after an emergency. Instead, call Fire Administration at (919) 469-4056 weekdays during regular business hours. Nights, weekends and holidays, leave a message on our Media Pager, (919) 380-4240 and get a call back within 10 minutes.

Please don’t call 911

Unless you’re experiencing an immediate threat to life, health, or property, never call 911, even if your question is about an ongoing emergency. For faster service that won’t impact 911 operators’ critical work, use the Media Pager, (919) 380-4240. You can also reach the Police Watch Commander at (919) 469-4016.

Remember: the same people who answer 911 in Cary also answer the non-emergency line; calling either one may negatively impact their emergency work, which is something we know no one wants to see happen. That’s why we have Public Information staff available to the media 24/7.

Reporting around Cary

We welcome media coverage, and we want to ensure that you get the information and footage you need while reporting. We've compiled a few tips to assist you greatly when you're covering emergencies, Town facilities, Town Council Chambers, news conferences and special events, as well as locating sources for Town news.

Media Briefings

The Criminal Investigations Division of the Police Department updates the media each morning about police matters in a regular face-to-face briefing. For details, call (919) 469-4017.

Appointments vs. Cold Calls

To keep our promise to be prepared for media and our pledge to provide you with accurate, timely, and complete information, we can’t participate in cold calls. Instead, please contact staff or Council for an appointment; we’ll meet your deadline and give you what you need to be successful.

At emergency scenes, the same concept applies; that is, a spokesperson (Public Information staffer or Incident Commander) will work with you to quickly set briefing times and a location that meets your needs.