Calling 9-1-1 Emergency

Pay phones

You do not need to put money in the pay phone to dial 9-1-1.  You can simply pick up the phone, dial 9-1-1, and connect to the operator.  Since this is a land line, the operator will automatically know your location, but if you need to know the location, the address of where you are calling from is on the pay phone near the coin slot.

When and why to call 9-1-1

Many people are unsure if their emergency rises to the level of being good enough to call 9-1-1.  When there is an emergency, most people first call a friend, family member or doctor to ask what to do and in turn, the advice is to call 9-1-1.  This is not a good practice because your situation could be time sensitive.  

The best “when and why” rule of thumb for calling 9-1-1 is when your life or the life of someone else is in immediate danger, a medical emergency or crime in progress.

Call 9-1-1 for medical emergencies that have the possibility of being life threatening, when there is a potential danger of further injury to the victim or others, or if you are unsure of the seriousness of the medical problem.

Call 9-1-1 for all crimes in progress, if you think the suspect is still there or in the area, and you need the Police to respond right away.

Call 9-1-1 if there is a fire, and you need the Fire Department to respond.

The important thing to remember is that the reasons why you are calling 9-1-1 is for a rapid response for help.  Because your City may have limited personal the reasons why you call is very important because you do not want to tie up emergency resources for something that is not truly an emergency.

Teach children about 9-1-1

How I learned you could use an inactive cell phone was when I was teaching my daughter how to dial 9-1-1.  Figuring the phone was inactive and there would be no harm, I told her to dial the number.  Within seconds, she asked me, “Daddy, I hear a voice on here asking me what my emergency is”.  I quickly explained to the operator, apologized and directly hung up. 

Teach your children how to dial 9-1-1 (without actually dialing the number).  They should know what to say, their address or the location where they are and to stay on the line, not to hang up and wait until help arrives.

Warning: Teach your children not to play on the phone or dial 9-1-1 if there is no emergency.  Remember, when 9-1-1 is dialed, the operator will see your address and send the Police.  9-1-1 operators receive many hang-ups from children playing on the phone.

Outside of the USA emergency number

If you were traveling outside the USA, it would be important to learn what the emergency phone number is in case you need to call.  For example, instead of 9-1-1, European Countries such as the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Arab Countries, a number of Commonwealth Countries and former British colonies use the numbers, 9-9-9. (Source Wikipedia)  

Conclusion

9-1-1 is our direct link to get the help we need when there is an emergency.  Each year countless lives are saved, crime thwarted and problems reduced due to a prompt response of emergency personal.

We owe all the men and woman of Law Enforcement, Fire fighters, medical personal and especially our 9-1-1 operators a debt of gratitude.  Thank you for all you do.

Aricle also posted on Bukisa.com by Scott Hallock