| DOs AND DON’Ts FOR CALLING “911”
By Liz DOs • CALL 911 FOR “IN PROGRESS” EMERGENCIES. THESE ARE EMERGENCIES (AND CRIMES) THAT ARE HAPPENING AT THAT VERY MOMENT – OR HAVE JUST HAPPENED. • BE READY TO VERIFY YOUR ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBER WITH THE DISPATCHER. • ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS THE DISPATCHER ASKS YOU. THE QUESTIONS MAY NOT SEEM IMPORTANT TO YOU, BUT THEY WILL HELP THE FIRE OR POLICE PERSONNEL RESPONDING TO THE EMERGENCY. BESIDES YOUR PHONE NUMBER & ADDRESS, SOME QUESTIONS THAT MAY BE ASKED OF YOU ARE: - what is the emergency? - is the emergency occurring at the location you are calling from? If not, then where? - if the emergency involves a medical problem, you will be asked if the victim is awake & breathing, and if you know the person’s medical history. You may be given instructions to help the victim, if possible. • IF THE EMERGENCY INVOLVES A CRIME, GIVE A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE SUSPECTS, THE SUSPECT VEHICLE, AND ANY WEAPONS, IF YOU SAW THEM. • TRY TO REMAIN CALM! IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO, THE DISPATCHER WILL STAY ON THE PHONE WITH YOU UNTIL EMERGENCY PERSONNEL ARRIVE. DON’Ts • DON’T HANG UP UNTIL THE DISPATCHER TELLS YOU TO DO SO. SOMETIMES THE DISPATCHER WILL WANT YOU TO REMAIN ON THE PHONE UNTIL THE EMERGENCY PERSONNEL ARRIVE. • DON’T CALL 911 FOR PAST INCIDENTS OR CRIMES THAT ARE NOT HAPPENING AT THAT VERY MOMENT. WRITE DOWN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S NON-EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER AND KEEP IT NEAR YOUR PHONE FOR THESE TYPES OF CALLS. • DON’T PANIC OR SCREAM AT THE DISPATCHER. IT’S OKAY TO TELL THE DISPATCHER IF YOU ARE SCARED OR WORRIED. • DON’T ASSUME THAT BECAUSE THE DISPATCHER IS STILL ASKING QUESTIONS THAT HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY. THE DISPATCHER HAS THE ABILITY TO SEND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL TO THE EMERGENCY WHILE HE OR SHE IS TALKING WITH YOU ON THE PHONE. • DON’T HANG UP IF YOU MISDIAL 911. IF YOU HANG UP, THE DISPATCHER CAN SEE YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS ON THE COMPUTER. HE OR SHE WILL TRY TO CALL YOU BACK TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE OKAY. IF NO ONE ANSWERS, A POLICE OFFICER WILL BE DISPATCHED TO YOUR HOME. IF YOU MISDIAL 911, STAY ON THE LINE AND TELL THE DISPATCHER IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. |