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E911 FAQ's
Q: Are 911 calls dispatched on a first come/first served basis?
A: No. 911 calls are prioritized and the most serious are dispatched first. For instance, a motor vehicle accident with injuries or a fight in progress will be dispatched to police, before a theft report or break-in report.
Q: When should I call 911?
A: Some reasons for calling 911 include:
- When a crime is in progress.
- When you or someone else is in danger or you feel you are in danger.
- When you need a fire truck, law enforcement officer or an ambulance is needed.
- Basically, if you think you need 911, don't hesitate to call.
- NOTE: Be sure to answer all the questions the dispatcher asks. Try to stay calm and do not scream at the dispatcher. Remain on the line so the dispatcher can confirm where and what type of help is needed. If you are calling for a crime in progress, stay on the line with the dispatcher. The timely information you provide will be passed on to the responding agencies. However, do not place yourself in any danger to stay on the line. If you need to go, do so.
Q: When should I not call 911?
A: Reasons not to call 911 include:
- When your power goes out.
- If you want to find out if someone was arrested or why.
- If you need to know the time.
- If you are looking for general information or a telephone number.
- NOTE: When in doubt, go ahead and call 911. The dispatcher answering the phone can advise you if you need to call another department or if they can send help. Try to keep a pen and paper handy in case the dispatcher gives you another number to call.
Q: What if I accidentally dial 911?
A: Stay on the line and let the dispatcher know it was a mistake. It does not present a problem as long as dispatch knows it was a mistake. If you accidentally call 911 and hang-up, we will start an officer or deputy towards your address until we can make contact and confirm there is no emergency.
Q: Why do you ask all those questions?
A: 911 operators are trained to ask particular questions according to the nature of the incoming call. The more information we get from you, the better prepared the police officers and firefighters will be to deal with the problem when they arrive. These questions will not delay the emergency personnel from being sent to your location. While the operator is asking the caller questions, there is another dispatcher in the same room sending the appropriate emergency response for incoming emergency calls. When you call, stay on the line and calmly answer the questions asked of you, unless doing so will place you in danger. Please do not scream "Just send them." That will not speed their response and may, in fact, slow the response down while the public safety personnel are trying to determine exactly who or what is needed.
Q: Why does the Fire Department sometimes come when I call for an ambulance?
A: Sometimes the Fire Department can get there quicker than an ambulance. Firefighters are trained as first responders and can assist a patient needing CPR or other basic emergency care while the ambulance is still en route.
Q: Can people with hearing or speech impediments call 911?
A: Individuals with hearing or speech impediments can call 911 using a TDD device.
Q: Can I call 911 from my cell phone?
A: Yes. All cell phones are capable of calling 911.
NOTE: Be sure to read your manual and learn how to lock your keypad. Many cell phones will automatically call 911 if a button is held down for more than a few seconds. This can happen if the phone is in your pocket or purse. Locking your keypad can prevent many unnecessary false calls to 911.
Q: If I call 911 on my cell phone, will you know where I'm calling from?
A: As of this writing, only if you tell us. More specifically, at this time the technology for locating a cellular phone calling 911 is not completely in place, although the Canadian government has recently mandated that this capability be implemented in 2009.
For now:
- If you call 911 from your cell, be sure to stay on the line and tell the dispatcher where you are or where the help is needed.
- Be prepared to give your exact location, or a nearby address, intersection, highway mile - marker, or a nearby business name.
- In the near future, cellular telephone companies will have the technology in-place to locate a cell-phone to within a few yards. Central Dispatch is able to translate that information into a nearby street address to assist us in finding you.
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