[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April is National 9-1-1 Education Month

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: For more information, contact Interim PSJC Director Joe Piper or Operations Manager Brian Maydwell at (573) 874-7400

April is National 9-1-1 Education Month

COLUMBIA, MO (March 28, 2014) - COLUMBIA, Mo. - You know what number to call when an emergency strikes, but do you know what to tell the person on the other end of the line? Do you know what you'll be asked? Do you know what to do, to ensure prompt and effective response by emergency responders?  During the month of April, Boone County Public Safety Joint Communications joins hundreds of other emergency dispatch centers across the country in making sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency. April is "National 9-1-1 Education Month." 

PSJC Operations Manager Brian Maydwell encourages every resident to take advantage of the month to refresh themselves on how to use 9-1-1. "We all spend a good deal of time making sure that kids know what number to call in an emergency, but it's just as important for people of all ages to know how and when to use 9-1-1. We hope everyone takes the opportunity this month provides to learn more about 9-1-1 and what to do in an emergency."

Residents are reminded that 9-1-1 should only be dialed for immediate threats to life and property. For non-emergency incidents PSJC encourages the use of the non-emergency number at (573) 442-6131.

To find out more about Public Safety Joint Communications, or to learn more about using 9-1-1, log on to the PSJC website at www.gocolumbiamo.com/PSJC.

 

When Calling 9-1-1:

Tell the telecommunicator the location of the emergency. The telecommunicator must confirm the displayed address or may ask you for more specific location information. 

Be patient as the telecommunicator asks you questions.  While you are answering questions, information on the emergency is being entered and a response is being made while you are still on the line.

Briefly describe the type of incident you are reporting.  Explain the incident, then stay on the line and do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you to. This allows the operator to provide you with information that can best help the victim, until first responders arrive on the scene.

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. 

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

REMEMBER - 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.


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