Calling The Emergency Number
Reasons to call 9-1-1
Any immediate danger to life, limb, or property
- An injury requiring immediate medical attention
- A fire
- Any crime in progress
- A serious traffic accident
Please reserve 9-1-1 calls for emergencies so that people with real emergencies will be able to get through when they need to.
Call 9-1-1 When:
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Your neighbor's house is on fire.
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A violent dog has attacked a person.
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The neighbors are playing with guns.
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A driver is dangerously swerving on the road.
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When to call other numbers
- A crime not occurring now
- Non-emergency ambulance transfers
- Nuisance burning
- Noise
- Calls for police and fire information
- Information on weather conditions, power outages, directions...
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Call Non-Emergency Line When:
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Your neighbor is burning leaves or backyard debris.
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A dog is running loose (Animal Control)
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The neighbors are playing their music too loudly (your local Police) |
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When calling...
- Give all the information
- Speak clearly
- State which emergency service is needed (fire, police, EMS)
- State your exact address.
- Stay on the line until your operator tells you to disconnect.
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Even if you can not speak...
- Stay calm...
- After dialing, leave the phone hanging or make some sort of noise to let the call taker know there is an emergency
- Your address will appear on their screen when calling from a 'land line' (a phone line, hard-wired at a business or residence).
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Dialing on a cellular phone
- If inside the vehicle, pull off to the side of the road.
- Be aware that cellular calls may not always be routed to the nearest 9-1-1 center.
- Tell the dispatcher your location, since such phones do not have address information.
- Look for landmarks.
- Stay on the phone until the call taker tells you to disconnect.
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Tips
- Make sure your address is visible on the outside of your house for emergency services to find it.
- Teach your children about dialing 9-1-1.
- Write your address out in large print and keep it near your phone. Even if you know your address perfectly, children, babysitters, or guests may not.
- Keep the phone at an easy to reach level for kids, like on a coffee table rather than high on a wall.
- Remember that cordless phones allow mobility.
- Keep cellular phones locked while driving as the '9' key can be easily accidentally pressed and ring in false calls.
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