911 should be used for reporting fire, medical or police types of emergencies only. If the situation presents an immediate threat to yours or someone else's life or property, call 911 immediately. Keep in mind that there are only a limited number of 911 lines designated to each call center. By utilizing 911 during a non-emergency situation, you may be preventing someone with an actual emergency the ability to obtain help.

When you do call 911 it sets a chain of events in motion which leads to you receiving help. When your 911 call is answered in the communications center generally the dispatcher will ask you what you are reporting. The reason they ask this is because there are 3 distinct categories that most people need help.

These are:

• Police

• Fire

• Rescue

Examples of calls for police assistance are:

• Break-Ins, House or Vehicle

• Domestic Disturbances

• Auto Accidents

• People Screaming for Help

• Loud Music Complaint

• Suspicious Person

• Physical Fights

• Gun Shots in the Area

• Suicide Attempts

• Missing Person

• Shoplifting

• Barking Dog

• Drug dealing

• And many, many more

Examples of calls for assistance from a fire department are:

• The smell of leaking natural gas

• A vehicle is on fire

• A trash can or dumpster on fire

• You fell down and are injured

• A house or structure is on fire

• Someone needs rescuing (Like on the side of a cliff)

• A person is trapped in an elevator

• Field or wild-land fire

• Injury car accident

Fire departments also respond to calls with Ambulances. An example of this would be an injury accident. We dispatch a fire engine because they have paramedics on-board and the fire department's response may be several minutes faster than an ambulance because they are usually closer. You may remember watching a television series that aired in the 1970's called "Emergency". This is very similar.

You call for the assistance of an ambulance for usually one reason:

• Someone needs medical attention

Below is a list of various medical calls we frequently receive:

• Chest pain

• Having difficulty breathing

• Injury accident (fire and police also sent)

• A drunk person is sick (police also sent)

• Person injured in a fight (police also sent)

• Victim of a fall

• Female in labor (child birth)

• Victim of a drowning

Ambulances also respond to calls with Fire Engines. An example of this may be an injury accident. We dispatch an ambulance because they have patient transport capabilities, but the fire department's response may be several minutes faster than that of an ambulance because there are more stations usually closer.

Dispatchers will provide medical direction over the telephone. If you call for an ambulance because your friend is having trouble breathing, the dispatcher will ask a series of questions, using "Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Protocol".  The calltaker will determine the chief complaint corresponding with the correct protocol, which is, in this case, "Labored Breathing". They will ask a set of scripted questions, each based on the response to the one before. This will result in responding personnel being as prepared as possible for arrival. Telecommunicators are required to undergo an intensive certification process in the use of these medical protocols and have required continuing education requirements to keep them at their best to serve you, our customers.