9-1-1 should be used to report any incident (emergency or non-emergency) that is going to require the dispatch of police, fire or medical equipment.

Examples Include:

• Medical emergency
• Fire
• Motor Vehicle accidents
• Suspicious vehicles or person, including a prowler
• To report incidences of auto theft, burglary, rape, arson, assault, robbery, shoplifting, disturbances, theft, domestic violence, fights, missing persons, shootings, stabbing, destruction of property, etc.
• To report dangerous situations, such as road hazard, possible drunk or reckless driver, live wires down to tornado sightings
• Annoyances such as barking dogs or loud music

How to Use 9-1-1

• Dial the digits 9-1-1 from any residential or coin operated phone.
• Report the nature of your call (police, fire, medical).  Give the location where the incident is happening, your name and your phone number.  Be prepared to answer the dispatcher’s questions in detail.  In life-threatening situations, even though the dispatcher continues to ask questions, assistance will have already been dispatched in most circumstances.
• If you are reporting a crime, pay particular attention to the suspect’s physical characteristics and clothing.  If there is a vehicle involved, get a good description including color, year, make and direction of travel.
• Do not place yourself in danger!
• If you are reporting a fire, tell what is on fire, whether anyone is in danger, inside the vehicle or structure or if there is danger of explosion.  Get out of danger!
• If you are reporting a medical emergency, be prepared to answer certain questions about the patient that will help the dispatcher send the right kind of units.  In certain circumstance, you may be given first-aid instructions to help the patient until medical personnel arrive.