Emergency Communications

Emergency Communications

Director of Communications

Jeffrey A. Polczynski

Phone: 304-728-3317

Fax: 304-725-4434

** Never be afraid to dial 9-1-1 just because you are unsure a real emergency exists. **

What To Expect When Calling 9-1-1

* Be prepared to briefly explain what your exact situation is. Many dispatchers today are trained to provide real-time instruction in CPR and life-saving first aid while simultaneously dispatching Emergency Medical Service professionals to your location. Listen to the dispatcher and follow their instructions.

* To ensure that the right people with the right equipment are sent to the correct location, the 9-1-1 dispatcher must ask you specific questions.

* The dispatcher will always ask you to say the address of the emergency and your callback number for verification.

* There are four universal questions the dispatcher needs in order to put their knowledge and experience to work for you quickly and effectively after the address and callback telephone number of the emergency have been verified correct.

1) Person’s problem or the type of incident (“Tell me exactly what happened?”)

2) Approximate age.

3) Is he or she conscious?

4) Is he or she breathing?

* LISTEN CAREFULLY. Always do whatever the dispatcher asks you to do. Don’t tell them to “hurry”. They already know that. Every question they ask has an important reason. That’s why it’s in their protocol.

Dialing 9-1-1 On A Cell Phone

* It is important to know that the system that identifies a caller’s location and telephone number currently does not work with wireless phones

* If you are calling from a cell phone and do not know your location, the dispatcher will work with you to help determine your exact location or where to send help.