An emergency switch and an emergency function activated by the emergency switch are provided in a wireless mobile device. The emergency switch is positioned on an edge of the mobile device in a position that is visible and operable without activating the device. An action of the emergency switch activates the emergency function in the device. The emergency function in the device initiates a call to 911. The emergency function initiates a call to 911 and provides (i) a canned voice message that includes, owner name, owner cell telephone number, GPS location, physical address, and nature of the emergency. The emergency function activates a speakerphone connection and maintains the speakerphone connection to update the status of the emergency until the function is deactivated by the device user.