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Episode 20: How to Call 911
Introductions
Premise: Basics on how to make a helpful and accurate 911 call.
When to call 911:
Active threat to life, property, environment
IE:
Fires
Crimes in progress
Traffic accidents
Medical emergencies
Other accidents needing emergency assistance
Downed power lines
Gas leaks
Drunk drivers
Suicidal persons
National suicide and crisis hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Fire/EMS Helpline from NVFC: 1-888-731-FIRE (3473)
Non-emergency number uses:
"Cold" crimes
Permits
Power outages, etc
Road hazards
Noise complaints
Questions, comments, etc
Information to gather before dialing
Location
What's going on
Questions to be prepared to answer:
Where
Where is the incident
Exact address, GPS coordinates, business name, highway milepost and direction, etc
Interstate 70, westbound, mile marker 260
5840 W Cherry St, in Pleasantville, at the Walmart
Beaver Brook Trail, mile marker 5, coordinates of 39°43'51.43"N, 105°16'18.92"W
Corner of Johnson and Lincoln
If you see smoke or fire or an incident scene that you're not at:
Your location
Direction from your location
Approximate distance estimate? (Close or far)
I see smoke from the house immediately behind mine
There's a column of smoke on the next ridge to the west from my location
Helpful if you know the cross streets, but not needed
Major landmarks can be helpful if you don't know the address or location
What
What's the emergency
Crime involved?
Crash or fire?
Persons hurt or medical needed?
Breathing/not breathing?
Conscious/Not Conscious?
Patient information
Age and gender generally good
History of this happening before?
Description of what's going on
Two cars are crashed, airbags deployed, not sure of injures
Laundry machine is on fire
Someone is stealing my car
I hear gunshots from the house next door
Guy collapsed in the fabric section, he's not breathing
Two people are fighting
Who
Patient information
Suspect description
Age, gender, race, height, attire
Vehicle description (color, make, model, plates)
Where did they go?
Distinguishing characteristics
Safety
Are there safety concerns for LE/Fire/EMS?
Highway and fires etc are obvious – don't mention
Animals on scene
Violent persons
Weapons (knives, firearms)
What to expect next:
Transfer of the call
You may be transferred to another fire/ems dispatch center for more information or emergency medical dispatching
Medical emergency (EMD)
They may ask you to take simple steps to help stabilize the patient or such before fire/ems gets on scene
Hands-only CPR
Bleeding control
Other basic tasks
Safety concerns
Secure dogs or other animals
Secure firearms (if not evidence etc)
Contact information
Be prepared with your name, phone number at the end
DO NOT HANG UP until told to do so or they hang up
For professionals
Treat a 911 call like a detailed sizeup
Identify self, qual (?) etc
This changes the dispatcher's attitude to more like listening to a size-up from a field unit and less of listening to a confused citizen
Don’t ask for resources unless it's unusual and you're sure
Flights?
Extrication
Hazmat
Etc.
Reference to video: Freeway Patrol - Episode 5 - Mechanism of Injury
Do a good radio report like you would be happy to hear
This is firefighter Enright from Whiskey Tango Fire; I'm on scene of a two vehicle traffic accident with airbag deployment and injuries, on I-70 westbound about ¼ mile west of exit 262. Appears no entrapment, possibly two to three patients. (Then answer questions).
Indicate if you are staying on scene, etc.
Tips and Recommendations
Take a second before placing the call
Collecting a bit of information and a deep breath can make this much easier
Be patient with the call taker
Questions may sound stupid
They may sound nonchalant
There may be pauses between your answer ending and they ask the next question
They may also be who is dispatching the fire department or police, or entering data
Mentally rehearse how to do this occasionally
Same as drilling on scene size ups and such – practice makes easier
Support:
Amazon click-thorough: http://amzn.to/2GG6YVB
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rescuejunkiestraining/
Whiskey Tango FD T-Shirt: https://teespring.com/whiskey-tango-FD#pid=2&cid=576&sid=back
Our home on podbean: http://rescuejunkies.podbean.com/#
View all episodes
By Chris Enright and Rowan McLooneIntroductions
Premise: Basics on how to make a helpful and accurate 911 call.
When to call 911:
Active threat to life, property, environment
IE:
Fires
Crimes in progress
Traffic accidents
Medical emergencies
Other accidents needing emergency assistance
Downed power lines
Gas leaks
Drunk drivers
Suicidal persons
National suicide and crisis hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Fire/EMS Helpline from NVFC: 1-888-731-FIRE (3473)
Non-emergency number uses:
"Cold" crimes
Permits
Power outages, etc
Road hazards
Noise complaints
Questions, comments, etc
Information to gather before dialing
Location
What's going on
Questions to be prepared to answer:
Where
Where is the incident
Exact address, GPS coordinates, business name, highway milepost and direction, etc
Interstate 70, westbound, mile marker 260
5840 W Cherry St, in Pleasantville, at the Walmart
Beaver Brook Trail, mile marker 5, coordinates of 39°43'51.43"N, 105°16'18.92"W
Corner of Johnson and Lincoln
If you see smoke or fire or an incident scene that you're not at:
Your location
Direction from your location
Approximate distance estimate? (Close or far)
I see smoke from the house immediately behind mine
There's a column of smoke on the next ridge to the west from my location
Helpful if you know the cross streets, but not needed
Major landmarks can be helpful if you don't know the address or location
What
What's the emergency
Crime involved?
Crash or fire?
Persons hurt or medical needed?
Breathing/not breathing?
Conscious/Not Conscious?
Patient information
Age and gender generally good
History of this happening before?
Description of what's going on
Two cars are crashed, airbags deployed, not sure of injures
Laundry machine is on fire
Someone is stealing my car
I hear gunshots from the house next door
Guy collapsed in the fabric section, he's not breathing
Two people are fighting
Who
Patient information
Suspect description
Age, gender, race, height, attire
Vehicle description (color, make, model, plates)
Where did they go?
Distinguishing characteristics
Safety
Are there safety concerns for LE/Fire/EMS?
Highway and fires etc are obvious – don't mention
Animals on scene
Violent persons
Weapons (knives, firearms)
What to expect next:
Transfer of the call
You may be transferred to another fire/ems dispatch center for more information or emergency medical dispatching
Medical emergency (EMD)
They may ask you to take simple steps to help stabilize the patient or such before fire/ems gets on scene
Hands-only CPR
Bleeding control
Other basic tasks
Safety concerns
Secure dogs or other animals
Secure firearms (if not evidence etc)
Contact information
Be prepared with your name, phone number at the end
DO NOT HANG UP until told to do so or they hang up
For professionals
Treat a 911 call like a detailed sizeup
Identify self, qual (?) etc
This changes the dispatcher's attitude to more like listening to a size-up from a field unit and less of listening to a confused citizen
Don’t ask for resources unless it's unusual and you're sure
Flights?
Extrication
Hazmat
Etc.
Reference to video: Freeway Patrol - Episode 5 - Mechanism of Injury
Do a good radio report like you would be happy to hear
This is firefighter Enright from Whiskey Tango Fire; I'm on scene of a two vehicle traffic accident with airbag deployment and injuries, on I-70 westbound about ¼ mile west of exit 262. Appears no entrapment, possibly two to three patients. (Then answer questions).
Indicate if you are staying on scene, etc.
Tips and Recommendations
Take a second before placing the call
Collecting a bit of information and a deep breath can make this much easier
Be patient with the call taker
Questions may sound stupid
They may sound nonchalant
There may be pauses between your answer ending and they ask the next question
They may also be who is dispatching the fire department or police, or entering data
Mentally rehearse how to do this occasionally
Same as drilling on scene size ups and such – practice makes easier
Support:
Amazon click-thorough: http://amzn.to/2GG6YVB
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rescuejunkiestraining/
Whiskey Tango FD T-Shirt: https://teespring.com/whiskey-tango-FD#pid=2&cid=576&sid=back
Our home on podbean: http://rescuejunkies.podbean.com/#