[Press Release] : How to call 911

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Scott Smith, Public Information Officer, or Zim Schwartze,
Interim PSJC Director - (573) 874-7400

How to call 911 

COLUMBIA, MO (August 10, 2009) - When time is of the essence,
information can be critical. 911 is an essential tool in getting
emergency services to people who need it. Those calling 911 can also
help those in need by giving operators the appropriate information about
the situation. 

“Our operators are trained to deal with every situation,” says Zim
Schwartze, interim director of Public Safety Joint Communications.
“However, residents who call 911 can make our job easier by being
calm, giving the operator the proper information, and following
directions. That in turn can help the victim get the assistance he or
she needs in a timely manner.”

When you call 911, the best way to expedite the proper response is to
remain calm and speak clearly. There are additional ways to help 911
operators provide the best assistance in your situation. 

●	Know the location of the emergency. When you call 911, operators
will initially ask the address of the emergency. The dispatcher must
confirm the displayed address or may ask you for more specific location
information. 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 patient as the dispatcher asks you questions. While you are
answering the dispatcher's questions, information on the emergency is
being entered and a response is being made while you are still on the
line with the dispatcher.


●	Briefly describe the type of incident you are reporting. Explain
the incident, such as "I'm reporting an auto fire," or "I'm reporting an
unconscious person." Then stay on the line and 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 ongoing information.

●	Let the operator ask you the questions. While you are on the
line, the operator will ask additional questions or give instructions
that will help in that particular emergency. The questions being asked
will not stall or delay response to the emergency, as first responders
are being dispatched during the course of the call. 

●	Do not hang up the phone until the operator instructs you to do
so. This allows the operator to provide you with information that can
best help the victim, until first responders arrive on the scene. 

●	Disconnected cell phones can still call 911. If you give an old
cell phone for a child to play with, remove the battery from the device.
This prevents an accidental dialing of 911.


If you call 911 by mistake, do not hang up; let the operator know it
was an accidental misdial. Otherwise, if an operator cannot contact
someone at the home from which the 911 call was placed, police will be
dispatched to the location. 

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