Calling 9-1-1
The following guidelines about when to call 9-1-1 may also be found at the Seattle Police Department's webpage seattle.gov/police/contact/911.htm :
You should call 9-1-1...
Should you need assistance to make a 9-1-1 call...
If you have difficulty with the English language, language interpretation services are available at all 9-1-1 call centers in King County. All 9-1-1 call centers are equipped with TTY devices and emergency call center personnel are trained in their use. You may also use Video or IP relay services that will deliver your call to the 9-1-1 center in your registered location and interpret the call.
Tips when calling 9-1-1...
Prepare for the following questions:
Even if the calltaker's questions seem unrelated or repetitious, let the calltaker lead the conversation and answer their questions. Calltakers are trained to gather information in a certain order to quickly assess the situation and decide what assistance is best to help you. They may need to clarify a previous answer, or may already be aware of the situation you are reporting and need to find out if you have any additional information. The calltaker wants you, the caller, to be safe as well as the police or fire personnel responding to the emergency to be prepared and safe; therefore, it is crucial to remain as calm and focused upon the calltaker leading the conversation as possible.
STAY ON THE LINE IF YOU CAN
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT 9-1-1
Teach your children about what 9-1-1 is and when it is okay to call 9-1-1. Let them know that playing with the phone and calling 9-1-1 is a bad idea because it may cause the line to be tied up and someone who is really in trouble may not get help as quickly.
You should call 9-1-1...
- When you have a Medical, Fire, or Police emergency
- There is a situation which could, or does, pose a danger to life, property, or both
- There is a suspicious activity involving a person(s) or vehicle that appears to have criminal intent
- Any situation which requires immediate dispatch of an officer
Should you need assistance to make a 9-1-1 call...
If you have difficulty with the English language, language interpretation services are available at all 9-1-1 call centers in King County. All 9-1-1 call centers are equipped with TTY devices and emergency call center personnel are trained in their use. You may also use Video or IP relay services that will deliver your call to the 9-1-1 center in your registered location and interpret the call.
Tips when calling 9-1-1...
Prepare for the following questions:
- WHERE did this occur? Did it happen on the street, inside, outside, in front or in back, etc?
- WHAT happened?
- WHEN did this occur? Is the event still in progress?
- An exact street address is best. Look at numbers posted on buildings around you. View the street signs to provide hundred-block or intersection information.
- If you are driving, be aware of the road or highway on which you are traveling. Look for landmarks or businesses that are very near to your location.
- It is a very good idea to post your address and phone number near your telephone. In an emergency situation is it easy to forget the most basic of information.
- Remain calm and patient.
Take a deep breath before speaking. Time seems to slow down when you are in an emergency. Your cooperation is essential to quickly getting help started. - Briefly state the nature of the call.
“I need to report a fire….” Or “I need to report a break-in at my home."
Even if the calltaker's questions seem unrelated or repetitious, let the calltaker lead the conversation and answer their questions. Calltakers are trained to gather information in a certain order to quickly assess the situation and decide what assistance is best to help you. They may need to clarify a previous answer, or may already be aware of the situation you are reporting and need to find out if you have any additional information. The calltaker wants you, the caller, to be safe as well as the police or fire personnel responding to the emergency to be prepared and safe; therefore, it is crucial to remain as calm and focused upon the calltaker leading the conversation as possible.
STAY ON THE LINE IF YOU CAN
- Stay on the line until the 9-1-1 calltaker tells you they have all the information they need. In some instances, they will ask if you can stay on the phone with them until officers arrive. This is to gather additional information if the situation changes before officers arrive.
- If it is not safe for you to stay on the phone, let the calltaker know this immediately.
- If you misdial and accidentally call 9-1-1, DO NOT hang up! Wait until your call is answered and explain that you misdialed.
- If you hang up, a calltaker will call you back to see if you have a police or fire emergency. If the calltaker is unable to reach you, police response will be sent to your location to check on your welfare.
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT 9-1-1
Teach your children about what 9-1-1 is and when it is okay to call 9-1-1. Let them know that playing with the phone and calling 9-1-1 is a bad idea because it may cause the line to be tied up and someone who is really in trouble may not get help as quickly.
Information to provide the 911 operator:
After the 911 dispatch operator finishes asking questions, ask for an "event ID number" if you can. Only end the 9-1-1 call when the operator says it is okay to do so.
**9-1-1 cannot receive text messages, only telephone calls.**
The Sounds of Gunshots Versus Fireworks
Often, especially during the New Year's and Fourth of July holidays, as well as the moments when sports championships are won, we will hear disturbingly loud noises that sound like, and may well be, gunfire. The SSCPC encourages you to telephone 9-1-1 whenever you believe you hear the sounds of weapons firing. Yet it proves difficult to distinguish between fireworks going off and gunfire, especially if we are not expecting either sound. We provide links to a YouTube video, from an organization in Corpus Christi, Texas, that briefly explores the somewhat subtle distinctions between gunfire and the sound of fireworks for your information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYqPAkCZfiI
Again, if you are unsure and your instincts tell you "Gunfire!" call 9-1-1.
- Date and time
- Trouble/suspicious activity
- Location
- Person/people involved
- Race/ethnicity of person or people involved
- Height(s) and body type(s)/physical build(s)/weight of those involved
- Gender(s)/sex of those involved
- Age(s) of those involved
- Description of hair color and hair style of those involved
- Distinguishing physical and/or facial features of those involved (tattoos, piercings. etc.)
- Eye color(s) and if those involved wore glasses
- Clothing descriptions--color(s) and/or fabric types of pants or shirts or jackets or coats or dresses or skirts or hats
- Description of shoes--color, kind
- Description of weapon(s)
- If automobiles are involved, make, color, and distinguishing features (dents, different colors on same car, etc.) of car(s)
- Automobile license plate numbers
After the 911 dispatch operator finishes asking questions, ask for an "event ID number" if you can. Only end the 9-1-1 call when the operator says it is okay to do so.
**9-1-1 cannot receive text messages, only telephone calls.**
The Sounds of Gunshots Versus Fireworks
Often, especially during the New Year's and Fourth of July holidays, as well as the moments when sports championships are won, we will hear disturbingly loud noises that sound like, and may well be, gunfire. The SSCPC encourages you to telephone 9-1-1 whenever you believe you hear the sounds of weapons firing. Yet it proves difficult to distinguish between fireworks going off and gunfire, especially if we are not expecting either sound. We provide links to a YouTube video, from an organization in Corpus Christi, Texas, that briefly explores the somewhat subtle distinctions between gunfire and the sound of fireworks for your information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYqPAkCZfiI
Again, if you are unsure and your instincts tell you "Gunfire!" call 9-1-1.