Tell 911 the Emergency
- Take a deep breath before speaking. We are here to help.
- Briefly say what type of emergency (police, fire, medical, or mental health).
- For interpretation, say in English what type of emergency (police, fire, or medical, or mental health) and what language you speak. The 911 call-taker will get an interpreter on the line.
- If it is not safe for you to stay on the phone, let the 911 call-taker know this immediately.
Let the Call-Taker Ask the Questions
- 911 call-takers are trained to quickly gather information and determine how best to help.
- Let 911 call-takers lead the conversation, and answer all of their questions as directly as you can.
- Their questions may seem unrelated or repetitive, but this is to help them clarify the information.
You Will Be Asked
- Where the emergency occurred
- When it happened, or if the emergency is still in progress
- What happened
- To describe any suspects or victims
Describe the Location
- An exact street address or intersection is best. If you don't know, look for addresses on nearby buildings or street signs. You can also note whether you're on the north, south, east, or west side of a street.
- If you are in a moving vehicle, please note the road, highway, mile marker, or any buildings, bridges, or landmarks near your location.
Stay On the Line If You Can
- Stay on the line until the 911 call-taker tells you they have all the information needed.
- They may ask you to stay on the phone until help arrives to gather additional information.
If You Misdial - Do Not Hang Up
- Wait until a call-taker answers and explain that you misdialed.
- If you hang up before that point, a call-taker will call you back anyway to confirm it was a misdial.