Appropriate Use of 9-1-1

The 9-1-1 Emergency System makes an important difference in our community every day. It is your first source of help in times of crisis and it can mean the difference between life and death. When used properly, 9-1-1 saves seconds, and those seconds can save lives.

Dialing 9-1-1 is the fastest and easiest way to communicate with local police, fire, and emergency medical services during an emergency. 

When Calling 9-1-1

• Stay Calm. 
• Give your name, location, and nature of the emergency.
• Listen carefully to the 9-1-1 call taker.
• Answer the 9-1-1 call taker's questions as accurately as possible. Speak clearly and slowly.
• Do exactly as the 9-1-1 call taker tells you during the course of the call.
• Never hang up on the 9-1-1 call taker until you are told to do so. If you hang up and redial, your call will go to the end of the line of people waiting for service.

9-1-1 Tips For Seniors

• Invest in a phone with large, easy-to-read numbers. Put a 9-1-1 reminder near the phone.
• Dialing "0" will not always connect you with an operator nearby. It may connect you with an operator many hundreds of miles away. Always dial 9-1-1 for local police, fire or emergency medical services.
• The 9-1-1 system allows the dispatcher to know where you are calling from even if you cannot speak - for instance, if you are experiencing a stroke or if there is an intruder in your home. Just dial 9-1-1 and leave the phone off the hook. Do not hang up.
• Keep your medical history taped to the refrigerator in an envelope clearly marked with your doctor's phone number(s).