Loudon Police Department

"9-1-1. What's your emergency?" Tips for using 9-1-1 Dial 9-1-1 only when you have a life threatening injury or illness,or witness a serious crime in progress. When calling 9-1-1 in an emergency: - Give the complete address where you need help. - Tell the 9-1-1 operator what the problem is -- why you need help. - Give the 9-1-1 operator your name. - Remain calm and talk clearly. - Give the 9-1-1 operator as much information as possible. Other things to know when you call 9-1-1: - Give your complete address, including an apartment number or letter. - Stay as calm as possible. - Know if the street you live on runs north and south or east and west. - Know what direction your home faces. - Know the nearest intersection. - Know how many houses your home is from the corner. - Know the street behind you and in front of you. - Let the operator control the conversation. - Speak loud and clear, but do not scream. - Answer the operator's questions -- they must ask you certain questions to help the police or fire units responding to your emergency. Please do not call 9-1-1- and: - Say, "This is not an emergency, but..." - Ask for the Loudon Police Department's non-emergency number. It is 798-5521 or 228-1631. - Ask for another police department's non-emergency number. Call 411. - If that police department is in another area code, dial that area code, then 555-1212. - Hang up before speaking to the police/fire operator. If you do, they will - call you back and a police cruiser may be sent to your home. - Report that the power is out at your home, unless it is an emergency. Call your utility service provider. - Ask for a weather report. Get a battery-powered radio and stay tuned to a local radio station. Dial 911 When Every Second Counts How does 9-1-1 work? When you dial 9-1-1, the system directs your 9-1-1 call to a public safety dispatch center. These public safety dispatch centers are operated by your local police, fire or sheriff'sdepartment and staffed by highly trained personnel. It is important that you stay on the line and tell the dispatcher what help is needed and where it is needed. Dispatchers are trained to ask you questions that are helpful in determining which agency should respond and how quickly. By answering these questions you are helping them provide the best possible response. Are there charges for dialing 9-1-1? There are no charges for dialing 9-1-1 to request assistance, but there may be charges for services provided, such as ambulance transportation. Those charges could result regardless of the number dialed. You can dial 9-1-1 from any payphone without depositing a coin. 9-1-1 works from car phones too. If you have a cellular phone, you can dial 9-1-1 and your call will be answered by a dispatcher. There is no charge for a 9-1-1 call from a cellular phone. When you want an emergency response from a public safety agency, dial 9-1-1. If it is not an emergency, look up the seven digit number for the agency in the telephone book. Does calling 9-1-1 mean that you will get an immediate response? All police, fire, and emergency medical services will respond to your need as quickly as possible. If these agencies are busy, a response will be provided in the order of urgency. Help us help you. Be prepared to tell the dispatcher what help is needed and where it is needed. Stay calm. Don't get excited. Take a deep breath. Dial 9-1-1 right away. Don't wait for someone else to call. Tell the person who answers the phone is exactly what is wrong, like this: "...my house is on fire." "...there was just a car accident." "...my Dad is hurt; he fell off a ladder and can't move." "...I'm home alone and someone is trying to break in." Tell them the exact address where help is needed. Be sure to give the FULL address, including any apartment number, suite number, space number, etc. Tell them the phone number you are calling from. If you are not at the same address as the emergency, tell them the address where you are. Tell them your name. DO NOT HANG UP until the person on the telephone tells you to do so. They may need to ask you more questions to help the fire, police, or ambulance to find you.