Have you ever had to dial 911? If you have, you’ve probably been nervous, scared, shaken up, maybe even hurt. In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunications week, we have put together some tips to help you, help your 911 operator get help to you.
1) Is it an emergency? If you need law enforcement, the fire department or an ambulance, call 911. If you need directions, call 411.
2) Listen to the questions that the 911 operator asks. This person is trained to get specific information to help life safety respond accordingly. Be prepared to answer these question:
A) What is the emergency?
B) Where are you?
C) Who needs help?
3) Speak slowly and precisely. This maybe hard to do in a stressful situation. But the calmer you are, the quicker you can relay the information.
4) Give the operator all the information, especially if someone is unconscious or has stopped breathing. The 911 operator may give you instructions for immediate help that you can provide until help reaches you.
Hopefully you will never have to call 911. But if you do, know that there is a trained person there to get you help.
Thank you to all our of our 911 operators! ~ Sonitrol
