When to Use 911
Dial 9-1-1... to stop a crime... to report a fire... to save a life
History
The first use of 9-1-1 took place in Haleyville, Ala. in January 1968. The town had a population of approximately 4,500 and was serviced by the Alabama Telephone Company (ATC). The 9-1-1 number was intended to be an easy-to-remember, no-coin method of reaching the correct law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies.
System Types
A 9-1-1 system is considered to be either Basic or Enhanced. A Basic 9-1-1 system provides three-digit dialing, does not require a coin for pay telephones and consists of intelligent routing to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) that handles the area from where the call is made. 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. The City of Dublin has the Enhanced 9-1-1 system.
The Dos and Don'ts of the Emergency Telephone Number
The 9-1-1 Rules You Need To Know
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)
Any life threatening situation (fights, person with weapons, etc.)
Any crime in progress (whether or not a life is threatened).
Dial 889-1112 for non-emergencies
Dial the agency's listed seven-digit telephone number (889-1112) for non-emergencies.
Non-emergency incidents include "cold" (not in progress) break-ins to vehicles, theft of property or vandalism. You should also use the non-emergency telephone number for intoxicated persons who are not disorderly, cars blocking the street or driveway, or non-injury auto accidents.
Dial 1-800-647-1512 if you are calling out of the area for
non-emergencies
Dial the agency's listed 1-800 telephone number (1-800-647-1512) for non-emergencies.
You should also use the non-emergency telephone number if you are out of the Dublin area.
Do not program '9-1-1' into your telephone's speed dial
You won't forget the number, and programming the number invites accidental dialing.
Do not dial 9-1-1 to "test" your phone or the 9-1-1 system
This needlessly burdens the dispatchers and system with non-emergency calls.
If you dialed 9-1-1 in error, DO NOT hang up the telephone
Instead, stay on the phone and explain to the dispatcher that you dialed by mistake and that you do not have an emergency. If you hang up, two police officers must be dispatched to the caller's address. This will needlessly take resources away from genuine emergencies.
When the dispatcher answers, briefly describe the type of incident you are reporting
For example, "I'm reporting an auto fire," or "I'm reporting a shoplifter." Then stay on the line with the dispatcher, do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you. 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 call-taker ask you questions
Dispatchers have been trained to ask questions that will prioritize the incident, locate it and dispatch 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."
Misconception
Most people think that when they dial 9-1-1 that it goes into a "Nationwide 9-1-1 Center" in Omaha, Nebraska. In fact, when you dial 9-1-1, the call goes to your local Public Safety Answering Point, which is your local police agency. In Dublin, your call goes to the Dublin Justice Center.
This call is answered by Communications personnel and the proper Police, Fire or EMS personnel are sent. If the call is for another jurisdiction, it is transferred. If the call is unable to go through for some reason (cable cut or computer problems) it is automatically transferred to another agency that will answer the call.
For information about the Dublin Division of Police Communications Center, 9-1-1 system, or other provided services, contact Paul Richmond (prichmond@dublin.oh.us) or call 614-410-4800.