Sat May 01 2010, 23:32 by 
As firefighters, we are often asked "When do I call 911 and what constitutes a true emergency?"
Before
the inception of 911, cities and municipalities relied on basic seven
digit numbers to contact their area fire or ambulance department. These
numbers often led to confusion and misdialing, causing a delay in the
response of emergency equipment.
With the inception of a
nationwide 911 system, the general public can call from any home phone
and be immediately connected to an emergency dispatcher, who will get
help to them immediately.
911 can be used to readily call fire,
ambulance and police in emergency situations only, such as a severe
medical condition, fire or a crime. The old seven-digit numbers are now
mainly used as business or information lines for local fire, police or
ambulance agencies.
Read More
Before
the inception of 911, cities and municipalities relied on basic seven
digit numbers to contact their area fire or ambulance department. These
numbers often led to confusion and misdialing, causing a delay in the
response of emergency equipment.
With the inception of a
nationwide 911 system, the general public can call from any home phone
and be immediately connected to an emergency dispatcher, who will get
help to them immediately.
911 can be used to readily call fire,
ambulance and police in emergency situations only, such as a severe
medical condition, fire or a crime. The old seven-digit numbers are now
mainly used as business or information lines for local fire, police or
ambulance agencies.
Read More
