April is National 9-1-1 Education Month. Please read these helpful tips about proper use of 9-1-1 from the Issaquah Police Department:
- 9-1-1 is for emergencies only. Is a person hurt or in danger?
- An emergency is any serious situation where a law enforcement officer, fire fighter, or emergency medical help is needed right away. If you are unsure of whether your situation is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
- If you accidentally call 9-1-1 do not hang up the phone.
- Stay on the line until you can tell the call taker there is no emergency.
- When calling 9-1-1 try to stay calm and answer all questions.
- Listen to the call taker and answer their questions. This will help the call taker understand your emergency and get the appropriate resources to you.
- Know the location of the emergency.
- Calling from a cell phone? The 9-1-1 center that answers the call may not be the 9-1-1 center that services the area you are calling from. Providing an accurate location is critically important when calling 9-1-1 from your cell phone so that we can get resources to you quickly.
- If you do not know your address, look for identifying street signs or landmarks. It is helpful to know the name of the city or county you are in.
- Once on the line with 9-1-1, do not hang up until the call taker directs you to do so.
- Teach your children how to call 9-1-1.
- Teach your children what 9-1-1 is, when to use it, and how to dial from your home and cell phone. Ensure your child is physically able to reach at least one phone in your home. Your child needs to know their name, parent’s name, telephone number, and their address.
- Prank calls to 9-1-1 waste valuable resources and are illegal.
- Post your address clearly and prominently on your home so first responders can easily find you.