911 DO'S & DON'TS
When the 9-1-1 number was
inaugurated in Haleyville (Ala.) as the result of an AT&T proposal, it was
intended as an easily-remember, no-coin method of reaching the correct law
enforcement, fire and EMS agencies. However, since 9-1-1 procedures are under
the control of local agencies, many different policies have developed for the
proper use of 9-1-1 since it's first use. Today, officials estimate that over
270,000 calls are made to 9-1-1 each day in the United States.
Although the term "9-1-1" has come to mean the entire public safety
communications system, in fact, it's simply a dedicated telephone system for
relaying calls from the public. It is not the only method of reaching the
police, fire or EMS agency, nor does it include many other telephone, radio and
computer systems that an agency relies upon to communicate.
A 9-1-1 system is considered either Basic or Enhanced. A Basic 9-1-1 system
provides three-digit dialing, no-coin is required from pay telephones and
intelligent routing to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) that handles the
area where the phone is located. An Enhanced 9-1-1 system adds the ability to
display the caller's address and telephone number at the PSAP for the
dispatcher's reference. Some 9-1-1 systems also have the ability to
automatically ring-back the caller on hang-up, to lock a line open for tracing,
or the ability to transfer callers to other agencies or telephone numbers with a
single button.
In general, 9-1-1 is an emergency number for any police, fire or medical
incident. Some jurisdictions allow citizens to dial 9-1-1 for any type of
police, fire or medical situation. In some cities, this has resulted in a flood
of 9-1-1 calls that agencies cannot promptly receive, answer or respond to.
The following section describe the Do's and Do Not's of 9-1-1 under its original "emergencies only" purpose:
Do not program 9-1-1 into your auto-dial
telephone. You won't forget the number, and programming the number invites
accidental dialing of the number. Also, please do not dial 9-1-1 to "test"
your phone or the system. This needlessly burdens the dispatchers and system
with non-emergency calls.
If you live in a region that is subject to natural disasters (earthquake,
tornado, hurricane, etc.), pre-plan a method of communicating with family,
friends and relatives before an incident occurs. Choose any emergency
contact outside the area that will be affected by the disaster. Make them
the relay point for those who want to contact you. After the disaster hits,
you can make just one telephone call to your contact, and have that
information relayed to all those you care about.
Dial 9-1-1 only for an emergency. An emergency is any serious medical
problem (chest pain, seizure, bleeding), any type of fire (business, car,
building), or any life-threatening situation (fights, person with weapons,
etc.). Most jurisdictions also urge citizens to use 9-1-1 to report crimes
in progress, whether or not a life is threatened.
Do not dial 9-1-1 for a non-emergency. Instead, dial the agency's listed
7-digit non-emergency telephone number. A non-emergency incident is a
property damage accident, break-in to a vehicle when suspect is gone, theft
of property (when suspect is gone), vandalism (when suspect is gone),
panhandlers, intoxicated persons who are not disorderly, or cars blocking
the street or alleys.
Do not pick up the telephone and put it down if you don't hear a
dial-tone--you'll tie up the telephone network and delay obtaining a line.
Stay on the line until you hear the dial-tone. If you hear a fast-busy, all
circuits are busy--try again later. If you reach a recording, the telephone
system isn't available for your call--try again later.
In many large cities, 9-1-1 calls are answered by a dispatcher if one is
available. However, if all call-takers are busy on other calls, the 9-1-1
call is answered by a call distributor that holds the call, and then
automatically routes it to the first available call-taker. Do not hang up if
you reach a recording, and try to call back. Stay on the line and your call
will be answered in order. If you hang up, your call will be delayed because
you will be placed at the end of other callers.
Your 9-1-1 call will automatically routed to the police, fire or EMS agency
that handles the area where the telephone is located. In general, 9-1-1
calls are answered by the area's law enforcement agency, who either handles
the call or transfers it immediately to the appropriate agency.
If you dialed 9-1-1 in error, do not hang up the telephone. Instead, stay on
the line and explain to the dispatcher that you dialed by mistake and that
you do not have an emergency. If you hang up, a dispatcher will call back to
confirm that there is no emergency. If you don't answer, a police officer or
deputy must be dispatched to confirm that you are OK. This will needlessly
take resources away from genuine emergencies.
Briefly describe the type of incident you are reporting. For example, "I'm
reporting an auto fire," or "I'm reporting an unconscious person," or "I'm
reporting a shoplifter." Then stay on the line with the dispatcher---do not
hang up until the dispatcher tells you to. In some cases, the dispatcher
will keep you on the line while the emergency units are responding to ask
additional questions or to obtain on-going information.
If your call is answered by a law enforcement agency and you are reporting a
fire or medical emergency, the call-taker will transfer your call---stay on
the line while the call is transferred. The call-taker who answers will need
information about the incident.
Let the call-taker ask you questions---they have been trained to ask
questions that will help prioritize the incident, locate it and speed an
appropriate response. Your answers should be brief and responsive. Remain
calm and speak clearly. If you are not in a position to give full answers to
the call-taker (the suspect is nearby), stay on the phone and the dispatcher
will ask you questions that can be answered "yes" or "no."
Be prepared to describe your location and the location of the emergency.
Although an Enhanced 9-1-1 system will display your telephone number and
location, the dispatcher must confirm the displayed address or may ask you
for more specific location information about the victim or suspects.
If you are a cellular caller, your telephone number and location will not be
displayed for the dispatcher's reference. You must be able to describe your
location so emergency units can respond. Be aware of your current city or
town, address, highway and direction, nearby cross-streets or interchanges,
or other geographic points of reference.
Cellular 9-1-1 calls are frequently routed to a central PSAP that could be
many miles from your location. Be prepared to give the dispatcher your
complete location---city or town, address or location, inside or outside,
what floor or room, etc.
Be prepared to describe the persons involved in any incident. This includes
their race, sex, age, height and weight, color of hair, description of
clothing, and presence of a hat, glasses or facial hair.
Be prepared to describe any vehicles involved in the incident. This includes
the color, year, make, model and type of vehicle (sedan, pick-up, sport
utility, van, tanker truck, flatbed, etc.). If the vehicle is parked the
dispatcher will need to know the direction it's facing. If the vehicle is
moving or has left, the dispatcher will need to know the last direction.
Be patient as the dispatcher asks you questions. While you are answering the
dispatcher's questions, he/she is entering or writing down the information.
If you are reporting an emergency, most likely a response is being made
while you are still on the line with the dispatcher.
Listen to the dispatcher's instructions for assistance if you are in danger
yourself. The dispatcher may tell you to leave the building, secure yourself
in a room or take other action to protect yourself.
Don't hang up until the call-taker tells you to. Follow any instructions the
dispatcher gives you, such as meeting the officers at the door, or flagging
down the firefighters at the curb.
If you are able and have training, apply first aid to any patients who need
it. Give the victim reassurance that help is on the way. Secure any dogs or
other pets that may interfere with the emergency response. Gather any
medications the patient is taking and which the medical crew will need to
take with the patient.
Sheriff Bill Holt |
Chief Deputy Michael Van Dyke
Capt. P R West
|
Capt. Don Bennett
| Capt.
Tony Crawford
Patrol Division
|
Criminal Investigation Division
|
County Detention Facility
Narcotics Unit
|
Emergency Response Team |
Drug Interdiction Unit
Administrative Staff |
Warrants Division |
School Resource Division
Inmate Transportation Division |
Court Security Division
K-9 Unit
Robertson County Government is an Equal Opportunity
Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace
This page was last updated on
04/01/2011
Robertson County Sheriff's Office