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What is 9-1-1 ?
9-1-1 (nine one one) is the phone number to call 24 hours a day for police, fire, or medical emergencies.
When do I call 9-1-1.
For example, if you see a crime and need the police or sheriff, call 9-1-1. If you see a fire that is not attended by an adult(i.e.; a building on fire or forest fire), call 9-1-1. If someone is unconscious or has serious injuries, call 9-1-1.
9-1-1 is not a number to call if you don't need help right away. Do not call 9-1-1 as a prank, a joke, or because you are bored.
Who answers 9-1-1 ?
9-1-1 calls are answered by specially trained public safety dispatchers or call takers. They know exactly who to send to help you. The equipment and technology in most all 9-1-1 Centers in the United States, will display your address and phone number to the 9-1-1 call taker/dispatcher, UNLESS you are calling from a cell phone*. Even with this modern technology you still need to tell 9-1-1 the location of your emergency and your name. Cell phone calls will be addressed in a separate topic.
What do I say when I call 9-1-1 ?
Remember to be calm and speak clearly when the dispatcher asks you a question. There are certain things you need to know when you call. They are:
The dispatcher may ask you more questions, and give you instructions of what to do until help arrives. Listen carefully to what the dispatcher tells you to do, and follow those instructions very carefully. The instructions given to you will keep you and others safe. It will also help you to help anyone who is injured, ill or unconcious. Don't hang up the phone until the dispatcher tells you to. If your call gets disconnected call 9-1-1 back.
- What is your emergency?
- What is the address where the emergency is at?
- The phone number you are calling from.
- Your name and address.
- Who is involved? If more than one person,
how many people are involved?
*Calling 9-1-1 From a Cell (wireless) Phone
Because cell phones are mobile they do not have a fixed location when you call 9-1-1. A cell phone call to 9-1-1 can be from anywhere. If you need to call 9-1-1 from a cell phone KNOW YOUR PHONE NUMBER & WHERE YOU ARE so the closest emergency personnel can find you. If you don't know where you are ASK an adult. If there is no one to ask, look around for any business signs, highway/street signs or markers, mailboxes or buildings with numbers. Are you near a landmark such as:
- Post Office
- City or Roadside Park
- Highway or Street Intersection
- Business
- Marina or water mile marker - if you are on the water
Immediately tell the 9-1-1 call taker your cell phone number, your name, and what the emergency is. Cell phone calls can easily be disconnected therefore it is very important that you know what your cell phone number is when you call 9-1-1 and that you give the number to the 9-1-1 call taker when they answer. If you are disconnected they can call you back.
*PARENTS - PLEASE REMOVE THE BATTERIES AND SIM CARDS FROM YOUR OLD PHONES BEFORE YOU ALLOW CHILDREN TO PLAY WITH THEM. CELL PHONES WITH THE SIM CARDS AND BATTERIES LEFT IN THEM CAN STILL CALL 9-1-1, EVEN IF THE PHONE IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE.
Article contributed by: Sgt, Jody Schlittenhart, Pettis County Sheriff's Office, & Peggi Sargent.
Sgt Schlittenhart has 16 years of experience in law enforcement, and has served many years as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher.
Peggi Sargent's public safety career began in 1984 as a Firefighter/EMT in Chicago's metro area. After moving back to her home state of Missouri in 1986 she has worked largely as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher for several Missouri law enforcement agencies including 10 years of service with a department in the Greater Kansas City Metro area.
*9-1-1 For Kids on this site is not in partnership with or associated to www.911forkids.com. Although we encourage you to visit their site for more fun and information about 9-1-1.
An emergency means you need help right now. An emergency means people are in danger of getting seriously hurt, or they are seriously hurt or sick.
