Every Second Counts, Know How to Call 9-1-1

While large disasters are relatively uncommon in the Pacific Northwest, small emergency events like car accidents, health conditions and criminal events occur around us every day which is why 9-1-1 exists.

People do not wake up each day and "plan" to call 9-1-1.  And often, when the need arises to call, there is a level of surprise, uncertainty and shock that callers may be experiencing.

When you do need to call 9-1-1, be ready to share the following information:

1)  What is happening?
2)  What is your location?
3)  Your name, address and phone number

Your 9-1-1 dispatcher will ask you a number of questions and it is important to know that while those questions are being asked, help is already being sent to your location.  Be patient, try to be as calm as possible and provide as much information as you can.  DO NOT HANG UP until help arrives or until your dispatcher tells you to.

And, if you have children, teach your children the following bits of information:

• Their names, their parents names, their home address and home phone number
• The name of your employer and their phone number.
• How to hold the phone properly so they can speak clearly to the dispatcher
• What an emergency is and when to call 9-1-1
• Not to be afraid to call 9-1-1 if there is an emergency
• If they think there is an emergency, to call 9-1-1 first before calling a parent at work
• Calling 9-1-1, as a joke or prank, is against the law.

The Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) has an excellent small quiz on our website that you can use with kids to help them determine when to call 9-1-1. 

The few seconds you use today to prepare to call 9-1-1 will make it easier when the real need exists.