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Hopefully, you'll never have a reason to make a 911 call, but if you do, there is a best and worst way to get the help you think you need.

In most 911 call situations, the callers are so emotional that the operators often have to first calm down the caller before getting the information they need to act properly. In emergency situations, seconds can make all the difference to victims requiring aid. So, as you dial those three little numbers, take a deep breath to calm yourself. Then get the facts, just the facts, to the operator as quickly and clearly as possible.

Police will be dispatched in instances of grave public safety. Firefighters will be sent in case of fire, the need for extrication or multiple parties requiring immediate aid. EMS personnel, either on fire vehicles or ambulances will handle will handle life-threatening injuries. But, who get sent first? That depends on what you tell the 911 operator.

Here are three simple steps for an effective 911 call:

1. Explain what the situation is.
"I just saw a car accident. Three vehicles collided at the intersection of East First and Main Streets."
"My three-year old is choking on something."
"My stove is on fire." Or, "I smell smoke outside my home."
"My neighbor just drove off drunk."
"There's a fight going on in the park by my home."
"I think I just heard a gun shot."

2. After giving details about the situation, STOP TALKING and LISTEN. The 911 operator will want to ask you questions to help clarify what's going on. Once they have a clear understanding of the situation, they can send the appropriate help.

They'll need the address of the incident. If you do not know the address, ask someone else who is at the scene or provide landmarks that will assist the operator in locating it.

Operators may ask how many people are involved, if people are hurt, appear unconscious or are out of their cars walking around. Were any utility poles, electrical boxes, gas lines or water lines involved in the accident? If so, they may need to dispatch emergency crews from the local utility company as well as police and fire services.

If your child is choking, they'll need you to answer questions about the child and what he or she could possibly be choking on before giving you first aid advice. Does the child have any food allergies? Or is there definitely something lodged in the airway? Look around the area where you found the child. Is there anything close by the child that could have caused the choking incident such as chemicals or cleaning agents?

In the case of a fire, the operator will tell you to get yourself and any other humans out of the property immediately, but stay on the call if at all possible with a wireless phone. If you are unable to take the phone with you or the call is dropped, get to another phone as quickly as possible and call 911 again. Identify yourself as the caller with the house fire at such and such address and they'll be able to pick up where you left off the previous call.

If the problem is with someone who left the area, they'll need to know if they're on foot or driving, what direction they're traveling in and if in a vehicle, the make, model and license plate number or other description of the vehicle.

In the case of a group incident such as a fight, they'll need to know where, approximately how many people are involved and may ask if you see or believe there to be any weapons involved.

3. Do what the operator tells you. Stay on the call until assistance arrives. Do not endanger yourself by approaching any emergency situation unless you are properly trained and certified in emergency and first aid practices. You do not want to become part of the problem, another victim to be rescued.

Learn more about this author, Judith Slack.
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