9-1-1 – Police – Fire – Ambulance
What is 9-1-1?
9-1-1 is the emergency telephone number system in Spanish which links callers to the appropriate emergency service – Police, Fire or Ambulance. Calling 9-1-1 helps ensure you reach the emergency service you require as quickly as possible. When you have an emergency just dial 9-1-1. It is an easy telephone number to remember. When police, fire or medical emergencies occur, 9-1-1 can help save precious time.
How do I know if there really is an emergency?
An emergency is a situation where the safety of people or property is at risk. Examples of 9-1-1 emergencies include: a fire, a crime in progress or a medical crisis.
It is not an emergency if you just locked your keys in your car!
It is not an emergency if you need directions!
It is not an emergency if you have a small cut or bruise!
What happens when I call 9-1-1?
When you dial 9-1-1 your call is answered by professionally trained personnel – call takers. The 9-1-1 telephone system has an Automatic Location Identification System and an Automatic Number Identification System (ANI/ALI) which lets the call taker know the address and telephone number of the caller. If the caller is unable to speak, police will be dispatched to the location.
If you call from a cellular phone, ANI/ALI information will NOT be available to the call taker. Try to remain calm and give your exact location.
The caller must be prepared to give the following information:
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Which service is required – Fire, Police or Ambulance.
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Where the emergency has occurred – the full address including the mane of the city or town is important because similar street names occur in different areas.
What You Should Know When Dialing 9-1-1!
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At home, you can dial 9-1-1 direct.
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At a business you may need to dial an outside line before dialling 9-1-1.
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At a pay phone, dial 9-1-1. This is a free call.
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You can also dial 9-1-1 from your cellular phone. This is a free call.
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When using a cellular phone be prepared to give the exact location of the emergency.
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For TTY access (Telephone Device for the Deaf) press the spacebar announcer key repeatedly until a response is received.
What you can do to help 9-1-1 help you!
Remain calm and speak clearly. Identify which emergency service you require (Police, Fire or Ambulance) and be prepared to provide the following:
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What is happening,
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What is the location,
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What is your name, address and telephone number.
Please remain on the line to provide additional information if requested to do so by the call taker.
“DO NOT HANG UP UNTIL THE CALL TAKER ADVISES YOU TO DO SO”
Approximately 90 percent of 9-1-1 calls received are not emergency in nature.