1 of 4

Write now Article Tools

It is important to understand that dialing 9-1-1 is similar to taking a slice of pizza at a party. There is a limit to the number of slices available at one time and taking a slice when you're not really hungry deprives someone else of the slice they really wanted (or maybe needed). The resources dispatched by a 9-1-1 center are finite. There are only a certain number of fire apparatus, police cars, and ambulances available to serve an area. In addition, there are only a certain number of phone lines and dispatchers available to answer those calls.

A caller should keep all of this in the back of their head when lifting the receiver to dial 9-1-1. When calling, you should ask yourself, do I need immediate help? Is this a life-threatening situation? Having been involved in emergency services for over 30 years, I can tell you that people will call 9-1-1 to let us know there is a black-out in the area and to ask if we know when power is going to be restored. This would be an inappropriate use of 9-1-1. The citizen who's oxygen generator is powered by a limited battery-backup would certainly be right to call 9-1-1 and request emergency assistance during a blackout because their situation could quickly turn to a life threat. The fact that you may miss LOST tonight does not qualify.

A call to 9-1-1 is a request for immediate, lights and siren, drop everything and get there now, assistance. If you are served by a volunteer fire/rescue or EMS system, you are asking them to leave their family dinner, stop helping their children with homework, get out of bed 2 hours before they have to go to work, and come to your aid. Please understand, they have all signed up to do this willingly for those who need them, but, they don't want to do this to get the cat out of the tree or take a person with the flu to the doctor at 4 am. Keep this in mind as you are dialing the phone.

9-1-1 is a valuable resource for anyone in need. Many dispatchers are trained in pre-arrival instructions. They will be able to coach you in what to do to deal with the emergency while the appropriate emergency services are dispatched. They can literally help you save a life. Most do their job because they love it and would not want to do anything else. The only thing that really upsets them is to delay answering a request for assistance to a heart attack victim because they were dealing with someone who dialed 9-1-1 to complain that their neighbor parked their car in the wrong space.

Remember 9-1-1 is for life-threatening emergencies. They will come, they will come quickly, and they will be happy to help. Just make sure you need them that fast.

Learn more about this author, Kirk W. Johnson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Understanding when to call 911?
We want to hear your view. Write now!