Frequently Asked Questions

A QUICK GUIDE TO 9-1-1

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What is an emergency and an incident?
What questions might I be asked?
Examples of when to call 911
Examples of when NOT to call 911
Address requirements to assist emergency responses

What is an emergency and an incident?

Emergency, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary is, "Unforeseen happening or state of affairs requiring prompt action." 

Incident
, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary is, "Occurring or likely to occur, occurrence, happening, an action likely to lead to grave consequences."

What questions might I be asked?

911 PERSONNEL ARE TRAINED TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM YOU THAT WILL INFORM THE EMERGENCY SERVICE RESPONDER WHAT YOUR NEEDS ARE. 

Here are some examples of questions that might need to be answered for different emergency services. Remember that while you are answering these questions action is being performed in the background to expedite personnel to your emergency.

Law Enforcement:

  • - When a WRECK  occurs you will be asked if anyone is injured. Is anyone trapped in the vehicle? How many vehicles are involved?

  • - If it is a ROBBERY you will be asked what type weapon was used? Is anyone injured? What is the description of the robber? How did he leave the scene? What direction did he go?
     
  • - On any LAW ENFORCEMENT matter many other questions may be asked. The purpose of these questions is to provide law enforcement with the information needed so that they may gauge their response to your need. Some questions will allow the officer to be looking for the assailant while he/she is responding to your location.

Fire:

  • - If you are reporting a smell of smoke or flames coming from the building, your information will give the fire department personnel knowledge of what to be prepared for when they arrive at the scene. 

  • - Information of where the fire is located within a building allows fire department personnel to go directly to where the fire is without having to ask after getting on the scene.
     
  • - It is important for firemen to know if hazardous or explosive materials are in the area or building where the fire is located. The knowledge of Hazardous Materials is particularly important when a business/manufacturer or home owner has any stored inside the building.
     
  • - Notification of any person being trapped inside a burning building or vehicle necessitates fire department rescue to begin immediately upon arrival on the scene.
     
  • - Remember any question asked will give the emergency service the knowledge of your individual emergency needs that will expedite the recovery or elimination of your incident.  

EMS:

  • - Emergency medical services (ambulance) will need the answers to questions concerning your medical problem so that they may respond immediately to your need. The information you provide will allow the paramedics to prepare for the medical emergency that you have. EMS also needs some of the information similar to law enforcement and fire.

The purpose of these questions is to provide law enforcement with the information needed so that they may gauge their response to your need. Some questions will allow the officer to be looking for the assailant while he is responding to your location.

Remember any question asked will allow the emergency service knowledge of your individual emergency needs that will expedite the recovery or elimination of your incident.

Examples of when to call 911

Call 911 anytime you need an officer from law enforcement, fire department, or ambulance service to respond to your location due to a life threatening incident.

- Should 911 be called when there is a need for an ambulance, fire equipment, or police service? Yes, if the incident is a life threatening incident.

- Do I call 911 when an automobile accident occurs? Yes, This may cause another accident or injuries may have occurred in this accident.

- Do I call 911 when a child or adult is missing and you believe that the person is in danger? Yes, your information may provide emergency personnel with information to locate the person

- Do I call 911 when sparks, smoke, or water is coming from an electrical outlet? Yes, there may be a fire within your wall.

- Do I call 911 if I see a train or a plane crash? Yes, emergency agencies will be notified to respond to the incident

- Do I call 911 when a storm causes major damage to homes or trees? Yes, 911 works in conjunction with the National Weather Service and the local Emergency Management Agency. 911 will sound the Sirens when the National Weather Service identifies that the weather may be a tornado or other severe weather conditions.o this incident.

- Do I call 911 when I see a suspicious person? Yes, this person may be attempting to break into a house, business, automobile or other acts of violence or mischief.

- Do I call 911 when I see a person unconscious? Yes, emergency personnel will be dispatched to check the condition of this person or transport them to the hospital.

- Do I call 911 when there is a gas leak pertaining to heating or cooking in my home or business, or the gas line providing gas to the community? Yes, any leaking gas either propane, butane, or natural gas may ignite or cause an explosion. After calling 911 you should call the company responsible for supplying your gas needs.

- Do I call 911 when my home has been burglarized or robbed? Yes, The proper law enforcement agency repsonsible for the physical location of your home or your location will be dispatched immediately.

Examples of when NOT to call 911

- Do I call 911 when my electricity has gone off?  No, This is not a life threatening situation. Call the electric company responsible for your electrical needs instead of calling 911. IF YOU HAVE A PERSON ON LIFE SUPPORT REQUIRING ELECTRICITY CALL 911.

- Do I call 911 when I have a water leak? No, this is not normally a life threatening situation. Call the water company responsible for you water.

- Do I call 911 when a cat is stuck up in a tree?  No, this is not a life threatening situation.

- Do I call 911 when I need a telephone number? No, this is not a life threatening situation. Call 411.

- Do I call 911 when my alarm has been activated? No, if the alarm was accidental. Do not call 911 to disregard your alarm call. Call your alarm company with your code. Officers will respond to all alarm calls until they have been advised by your alarm company that law enforcement or the fire department is not needed.

- Do I call 911 to obtain weather information? No, Your local television stations, radio stations, and NOAA weather radios will inform you of any severe weather in your area. If you live within Atoka, Covington, or Munford CITY LIMITS the SIRENS will be sounded if the National Weather Service determines the necessity for sounding the sirens.

- Do I call 911 to talk with someone in jail? No, this is not a life threatening situation. Call the Criminal Justice Center direct, 475-3305.

Address requirements to assist emergency responses

THE ADDRESS THAT 911 HAS ASSIGNED TO YOUR HOME OR BUILDING IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR YOUR SAFETY. THIS ADDRESS IS A MEASUREMENT OF WHERE YOU ARE LOCATED.

DISPLAY ONLY THE ADDRESS PROVIDED BY 911 ON YOUR HOME OR BUILDING WHERE IT CAN BE SEEN. REMEMBER EMERGENCY PERSONNEL ARE TRYING TO LOCATE YOU QUICKLY TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR PROBLEM.

Old addresses should be removed from your home, building or mailbox. This causes confusion to emergency responders trying to locate you or your neighbor. Display only the address provided by 911. The address provided by 911 is your legal mailing address.

Some information about your address: The address for you is determined by the number of feet in a mile. For example if your address is 1000 you are one mile from where the road starts. If your number is 500 you are one half mile from where the road started. If you have an address that ends in an even number you are either on the north or east side of the road. If you have an address that ends in an odd number then you are on the south or west side of the road.

PLEASE! Display your number on the front of your home or building where it can be read from the street or road. If you are too far from the road for your number on your home or building to be read, place your number by your driveway so that it can be read from both directions. If you use a mailbox in front of your home place your address on both sides of your mailbox. The following are some ways to display your address at the street.