When someone is in the middle of a crisis, such as a car crash or medical problem, the first thing that comes to mind is to call 911 for help. The 911 operators are highly trained professionals who give directions on what to do, or perhaps give life-saving instructions. This week is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. Andrew Dieleman has more information about how to help these vital public servants when you need help…
Last year, California enacted legislation that reclassified public safety dispatchers as “first responders.” The new classification acknowledges their vital role in the state’s emergency response chain. In 2020, nearly 700 dispatchers answered nearly 5 million 911 calls in California. Follow these tips to help make 911 calls easier for everyone. Stay calm. Be prepared to give your name, phone number, address or location, and a detailed description of the incident or vehicle being reported. Wait for the dispatcher to ask questions, and then answer clearly and calmly. Be prepared to provide a physical description if the emergency involves a criminal suspect. Cell phones do not give the dispatcher your address. Use a landline to report an emergency whenever possible. And finally, remember that 911 is for life-threatening emergencies only.
