CALLING 911

In most cases, a call to 911 is received by a dispatcher in a central location. The dispatcher will have instant access to emergency services, such as police, fire, medical aid, civil authorities, etc. In some places, the number may be different but the procedures that you should follow will be the same. The steps that you should take to assist the dispatcher so that you get the fastest and most effective response are as follows.

• Do not assume that someone else had already made the call.
• During the call, speak slowly and clearly. When the dispatcher answers, state: "This is an emergency. I calling from Comcast - 600 Galleria Parkway. My name is ( Your Name ) We will need emergency (e.g. Police, Fire, Medical) services."
• Follow the dispatcher's lead. He or she will ask you questions about the location, the nature of the incident, the severity of the incident, the number of casualties, and any ongoing dangers.
• The dispatcher can often identify the address of your location and the telephone number from which you are calling. However, this is not the case if you are calling from a cell telephone.
• Give complete directions to the locality of the incident. This could be as detailed as "Building 600, front or rear entrance, 12th floor, with public access on the 11th floor. There will be people who will meet the responders at the front of our building and at the rear entrance. They will know the fastest way to the conference room".
• Provide your telephone number to the dispatcher in case you are cut off or the dispatcher needs to call you back. In many cases, the dispatcher will want you, if you are not in immediate danger, to remain on the line so that they may ask questions for further clarification as to the locale or the developing nature of the injuries. This information will be relayed to the personnel who are responding so that they are better equipped to deal with the incident as they arrive. If there are injuries, the dispatcher may give you instructions as to what to do.
• Ensure, as you stated in your message, that someone will be standing to meet the emergency responders at any point where the way is not immediately clear. This could be the front of your building, the best entrance, or even on the street to flag them down as they approach. If appropriate, also have another person secure an elevator the responders' use.