9-1-1 is your connection to police, fire and ems services.  Our Communication Telecommunicators are highly trained, dedicated professionals who will assist you in getting the help you need.  Please remember these tips whenever you call 9-1-1.

   *Use 9-1-1 in emergency situations that require police/sheriff, fire and ems 
     services. Remember 9-1-1 is for people  emergencies only.
   
   *Know your location at all times.  This is very important if you are calling from 
     a cell phone. Calling from a cell phone does not tell us exactly where you are
     but an area within 80 feet. You should know what city you are in, building or
     home addresses or landmarks, cross streets, etc.
 
   *Tell the Telecommunicator your location as soon as you are asked.

   *Be prepared to answer questions, listen carefully, speak clearly and try to
     remain calm.

   *Please understand while the Telecommunicator is asking you questions,
     the information is relayed to other Telecommunicators who are sending help
     to your location.  It may seem like the Telecommunicator is asking to many
     questions or not sending help, but we assure you help is being sent.  The
     more information emergency responders have before they  arrive, the better
     they are prepared to help you.

   *You will be asked questions to determine the nature of your emergency.  Our 
     Telecommunicators are experienced and their persistence is based on a need 
     to provide accurate and specific information to the emergency responders. You
     will likely be asked many specific questions.

   *If you dial 9-1-1 by accident, stay on the phone and let us know there is no
    emergency, that is was an accident.  If you  hang up, we will call you back. 
    If no response on the call back we will have to send out police/sheriff to your
    location to make sure everything is ok.This ties up emergency responders
    who may be needed on other calls.

   *Teach children to dial 9-1-1 properly and remind them this is not a toy.  Put
     your address information near the phone and make sure your children and
     sitters know where to locate it.

   *Don't call 9-1-1 to ask for "non-emergency" or business phone numbers.  
     Those numbers are located in the telephone book or you can dial 4-1-1 for 
     directory assistance.  Please do not tie up an emergency line with these
     questions.