To report any activity that is harmful to a person, animal or property
To report any suspicious activity that might result in harm to any person, animal or property.
When should I not call 9-1-1?
To report power outages (unless medical equipment depends on power) or for your call to be transferred to the power company.
To report downed tree limbs not presenting an immediate threat to life or property.
To report the use of legal fireworks
To receive driving directions.
To activate your burn permit or see if burning is permitted for the day.
Can I call 9-1-1 from any phone?
You can call 9-1-1 from a land line or mobile phone.
If you call from a mobile phone, 9-1-1 dispatchers do NOT receive your location automatically.
Know where you are: an address, intersection or highway mile marker.
Know your phone number! If emergency personnel cannot find your location, we can call you back for more information
If I call 9-1-1, will there be an immediate response?
All life-threatening emergencies are responded to immediately.
Other calls are handled by priority; the situations which could cause the most harm to people or property are handled before those with no safety issues.
What should I do if a dispatcher doesn't answer immediately?
Stay on the line. 9-1-1 calls are answered in the order received.
Be ready with your information - address, telephone number and problem.
If you hang up or are disconnected, the call still comes through to the 9-1-1 dispatcher. They will try to call you back. If no one answers, law enforcement officers will be sent to the address on the call.
Do 9-1-1 dispatchers provide emergency medical instructions?
9-1-1 dispatchers can help with:
CPR on someone who isn't breathing and may not have a pulse
Emergency childbirth
Severe bleeding problems
Being prepared for the emergency crews
Does 9-1-1 work with poison control?
The 9-1-1 dispatcher will ask you questions to determine if an ambulance is needed.
Your call can be transferred to poison control.
The 9-1-1 dispatcher will monitor the call in case the patient's condition gets worse and EMS would be needed.
When should I teach my child about 9-1-1?
If a child can read numbers and dial the phone, he/she can be taught to call 9-1-1. Some children can do this at age 2 to 3 years old, others are 5 years old before they understand.
Teach them when to call 9-1-1. Children can recognize emergencies such as fire or someone unconscious. They can also be taught when law enforcement officers are needed.
Remind them 9-1-1 is for emergencies only.
Can 9-1-1 handle TDD (telephone device for the deaf) calls?
9-1-1 can be used for both TDD calls and hearing calls.
Telephone equipment immediately identifies TDD calls and the 9-1-1 dispatcher is able to go right into TDD mode.
What if the caller does not speak English?
The 9-1-1 dispatcher immediately connects the call to an interpreter.
9-1-1 dispatchers have 24-hour access to interpreters for more than 100 languages and dialects.
As soon as the 9-1-1 dispatcher determines there is an emergency, help will be sent.