When To Call 911
The only time you should call 911 is if a person is badly hurt or in danger right now!
Reasons to Call 911
- Personal Safety at Risk
- Fire
- Shooting
- Gang Violence
- Explosion
- Crash Injuries
- Motor
- ATV
- Motorcycles
- Car vs. Pedestrian
- Medical Conditions
- Trouble Breathing
- Choking
- Chest Pain
- Unconsciousness; No response
- No signs of life
There are exceptions to the above
It's important to make sure you are safe before you call 911. If your home is on fire, for instance, leave the house before calling 911. You can always call from someone else's house.
Speak slowly and clearly when you explain what's happening.
The 911 emergency dispatcher will ask you these questions:
- What is the Address of the emergency?
- What is the phone number you are calling from?
- What happened?
- What is the Age of the patient?
- Is she/he conscious and breathing?
Don’t Hang up
If you do have to call 911 in an emergency, be sure to stay on the phone. Do not hang up until the 911 operator tells you it's OK to do so. That way, you can be sure that the operator has all the information to get help to you fast!
When not to Call 911
911 should never be used for road conditions, directions, burn day checks, time checks or as a source of information for telephone numbers.
Not every intoxicated or withdrawing person requires an emergency medical response. Below are some criteria to assist in determining if an individual need medical attention.
Before calling 911:
Attempt to wake up the individual (verbally or a gentle shake to the shoulder)
If they are/can:
- Easy to arouse
- Walk independently or with the use of their cane, walker, etc.
- Speak so that you can understand them
And if they are not:
- Actively seizing
- Actively bleeding or have head trauma or other trauma beyond simple abrasions
- Suicidal
If the above criteria are met, and they do not want medical services, ask if you can call a service for them. The City's Help page has lists of services that may be able to provide assistance.