9-1-1 Questions

WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL 911?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CALL 911?

WHAT HAPPENS IF I ACCIDENTALLY CALL 9-1-1?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CALL 9-1-1 ON A CELL PHONE?

WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL 911?
9-1-1 should be used only during an emergency, but what constitutes an emergency? Emergencies are events that are an immediate threat to life and/or property. Examples of this are a person having a heart attack, a person choking, any crime in progress, such as a burglary or robbery, traffic accidents, and others of a serious nature. There are many things not included in this list, but just remember to use common sense when dialing 9-1-1.
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CALL 911?
A trained 9-1-1 Emergency Operator will answer and begin asking important questions. It is imperative that the caller remains calm and listens to the questions being asked. The Emergency Operator will confirm the address and phone number with the caller and ask: What happened? When did it happen? Who did it? What does the person or vehicle involved look like? Which direction did the person or vehicle go? The more information given, the quicker and more efficient the response will be. Remember that you are talking to the 9-1-1 Operator. Help is on the way, so do not hang up until the 9-1-1 Operator tells you to do so.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF I ACCIDENTALLY CALL 9-1-1?
If you dial 9-1-1 accidentally, stay on the line and tell the Dispatcher that you have dialed incorrectly. Do not hang up! All calls to 9-1-1- need to be followed up and confirmed that an emergency does not exist. When you hang up, the Police Dispatcher or Police will attempt to contact you via the phone or by sending an Officer to your residence.
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CALL 9-1-1 ON A CELL PHONE?
When you dial 9-1-1 on your cell phone, the call goes to the California Highway Patrol and is transferred to the appropriate agency. The CHP Dispatcher will ask what city you are in, and what you are reporting. Since the call is transferred according to information you provide, it is important that you know the city you are in, so the appropriate personnel can be sent to your location.
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