Take Deep Breaths to Calm Yourself.
Obviously, an emergency situation may cause a rush of adrenaline making it difficult to focus on important information. This natural reaction can also cause difficulties in speaking clearly and may change the rates of speech.
Call 9-1-1.
Pick up a phone and dial 9-1-1. Keep in mind that there may be a delay in time for which it takes a dispatcher to answer the incoming phone call. This is due to the call being routed to the proper answering center. Patience is a must.......Do not hang up if you do not connect immediately.
Remain Calm.
Remaining calm will always be easier said than done; however, it is extremely important that what you are trying to relay to dispatchers is received correctly on their end of the phone. Try to think in advance the information you will need to give the 911 dispatchers.
Know What You Will Be Asked.
The location of the emergency, the phone number from where you are calling from, and the nature of the emergency are all vital information needed from the caller so the appropriate emergency crews can be sent. Dispatchers and responding emergency crews try to "paint a picture" as to what is happening at the scene, so further information might be asked of the caller. This information is important for responders so they can have a clear idea what they are responding to.
Listen to the Dispatcher.
It is imperative for you to follow the directions of the dispatcher. An emergency situation may cause confusion, and the role of the dispatcher is to keep the caller and others, who are on scene, safe. Remember, even though more questions might be asked, help is on the way.
Don’t Hang Up Until Instructed To.
During an emergency, many things can happen and the type of emergency can change. To reduce confusion, dispatchers may stay connected with the caller until the emergency crews arrive on scene. The dispatcher is there to assist you and is trained in giving life saving techniques when needed.
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For an incident that involves anything other than a threat to Life or Property, call our
Non-Emergency number 417-345-1999 and press "1".
Your call will be answered by a telecommunicator as soon as possible.
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