If ever you’ve been in the unfortunate position of having to call 911, then you know how comforting that voice on the other end can be. These people are on the front lines of public safety and this week, the CHP honors those who handle calls of distress. Reporter Heather Clisby has more details …
Dialing 911 is an act of desperation that indicates serious trouble and the public safety dispatchers who take those calls are being honored during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 12 through April 18, by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and other law enforcement agencies.
Against the worrisome backdrop of COVID-19, 911 dispatchers are being celebrated as the first point of contact for those in distress. The CHP employs more than 700 911 dispatchers in 24 communications centers throughout the state. Last year, they handled more than five million calls. Currently, the CHP is looking to fill more than 150 dispatch vacancies statewide.
In an instant, these dispatchers must grasp the emergency and decide on the correct response to activate local agencies. Working hand-in-hand with patrol officers, they also research license plates, driver license numbers, and run criminal record checks on wanted subjects.
Calling 911 is often done in a panic but the CHP has a few tips for those calling in an emergency:
• Stay as calm as possible.
• Call from a landline, if possible.
• Be prepared to provide your name, phone number, address or location, and a detailed description of the incident or vehicle being reported.
• Cell phones may not reveal your exact location, which is the single most important piece of information in case the call is cut off.
• Wait for the dispatcher to ask questions, and then answer clearly and calmly.
• Listen carefully and follow all directions provided by the dispatcher.
• Provide a physical description if the emergency involves a criminal suspect.
• Dialing 911 is for life-threatening emergencies only. Misuse of the system will result in a delay for callers with real emergencies and is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.
