911 Dispatch
Do you know how 911 became 911? In 1957, the
National Fire Chief's Association suggested there be a national
emergency phone number for citizens to use to report
emergencies. Ten years later, President Lyndon B. Johnson
made it happen. The suggestion included a single
telephone number to be used for emergencies nationwide or at least
in major cities where there could be as many as 50 different
numbers to reach police and fire. The very first 911 call was made
on February 16, 1968 in Haleyville, Alabama.
It recommended that police departments also have a
number citizens can call for regular business, or a non-emergency
number. This was to prevent callers reporting emergency life
or death situations from holding while the call-taker helped
someone looking for general information.
The first rule of calling 911 is KNOW THE ADDRESS OF THE
EMERGENCY. The second rule of calling 911 is
KNOW THE ADDRESS OF THE
EMERGENCY. If you don't know the
address, give an intersection, a business name, a reference
point.
WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL?
CALL 911 for:
- A life threatening situation exists (fights, domestic violence,
auto accidents with injuries, etc.)
- A serious crime is in progress (robbery,
burglary, etc.)
- Any type of fire, smoke, chemical spills
- Emergency medical assistance
- You are unsure if it's an emergency
CALL NON-EMERGENCY for:
- Crimes against persons and/or property not
in progress (non-injury auto accidents, vandalism,
burglary, etc.)
- Suspicious activity (unknown vehicle in the area, kids out past
curfew, etc.)
- Noise complaints
- Parking hazards
DO NOT CALL 911:
- When the power is out
- To pay a ticket
- To get a ride
- As a prank
- For a water leak
