Even 911 will reasonably accommodate a test call as long as it's not high usage period or whatever, call the non emergency line to coordinate if you're concerned, just say "I wanted to test e911 from my cell phone" or equivalent. Remember, systems need to be tested and testable in real life, not just software engineering! When you set up a PBX or voip phone system, you'd better make sure 911 works through it or someone might have a really bad day.

Only if you do it in a place you’d otherwise not be able to have a fire. I wouldn’t recommend your living room, or the stairwell of you apartment complex.