911 Tips
Q: What is 911?
A: 911 is a nationally recognized number that the public can call to request emergency assistance for police, fire, or medical emergencies. It is an easy number to remember during an emergency. Specially trained people known as "Telecommunicators" answer your 911 call. Telecommunicators are trained to ask certain questions that are necessary in order to determine the nature of your emergency and the proper emergency service that is needed.
Q: What is an Emergency?
A: An emergency can be any type of incident where injury to people or property may occur. Examples of an emergency can be accidents with injuries, fires of any kind, medical emergencies, and any crime that is in progress.
Q: What information do I need to give to the Telecommunicator when I call 911?
A: Always try to provide as much information to the Telecomunicator as possible. Remember the "Who, What, When, and Where" rule. This rule will provide: who is calling, what is going on, when did it happen and where did it happen. These four questions are the basic information a Telecommunicator needs to provide timely assistance to an incident, however it is always better to provide the most information possible. Remember, the Telecommunicator is asking the questions so they can dispatch the proper number of units to the proper location. Do not hang up until instructed to do so by the telecommunicator on the line.
Q: If I get disconnected while talking to 9-1-1, what should I do?
A: Always try to call back. Never disconnect until told to do so by the dispatcher. Calling back in these cases assures that all required information has been received.
911 Tips
- Keep your address and phone number posted near every phone in your house. It is very stressful during an emergency and it is very easy to forget your address. By posting this information, you as well as any visitors at your home can dial 911 and get help quickly.
- Speak clearly and calmly at all times. Do not yell into the phone.
- Listen closely to the questions and try to answer all the questions that are asked by the Telecommunicator. Something that might not seem important to you now could be very important later.
Kids and 911
- Make sure kids of all ages know how to use 9-1-1. Help your children learn their address and phone number at an early age.
- Teach children to dial 9-1-1 only in an emergency.
- If 9-1-1 is dialed by mistake, please stay on the line and let the Telecommunicator know there is no problem and it was a dialing error.
Teach children to call 9-1-1 if they feel they need help. Help your children learn the difference between a true emergency and a non-emergency call.
For More Information Contact:
Barry Furey
Director
Emergency Communications Center Department
222 W. Hargett St.
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-890-3530
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