Tips on calling 911

Today, while at work answer the phones for 911, I have thought of a few tips to give people who want to call 911.

1. Give the address and phone number. Face it, if the ambulance doesn't know where to go, they cannot get there.

2. Listen to the individual on the phone. They are trained to ask the correct questions. We need to know so we can send the right help.

3. Don't get hysterical. You are not helping if you keep yelling to send help and are not answering questions.

4. Do not swear or yell at the call-taker. They already have a stressful job and are doing the best they can to help you out. I know from experience that they are overworked and vastly underpaid.

5. Answer only the questions asked, when asked. We really do not need to know if your mother's uncle's father died of a heart attack. We need to know if the patient ever had a heart attack.

6. Do not interrupt. If you keep interrupting while the questions are being asked then it delays the response time.

7. Don't call 911 for information. Due to HIPPA, the calltakers are not allowed to give out who they took where.