When Seconds Count

9-1-1 NEEDS YOUR HELP!
When Seconds Count...CALL 9-1-1

The Dorchester County 911-Dispatch Center and its dedicated 911-Telecommunicators who answer your calls need your assistance. The number of Non-Emergency and frivolous calls to 911 are at a dangerous level and dramatically increasing. In 2004, over 50% of the almost 100,000 calls to Dorchester County 911 were either non-emergency or frivolous calls. Examples of frivolous calls include calling 911 for traffic or weather reports, court operating times, questions about traffic tickets and many others. These are dangerous situations because they may keep someone else from getting the critical help they need. Increasingly 9-1-1 Dispatchers responding to emergency calls are forced to place 9-1-1 callers on hold to answer non-emergency or frivolous
9-1-1 calls. All calls to 9-1-1 are assumed Emergency calls until answered.

When To Call 9-1-1

Call 9-1-1 to report Emergencies. An emergency is a situation that threatens human life or property and requires the IMMEDIATE dispatch of Police, Fire or Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Use 9-1-1 to report a crime in progress, a fire or serious illness or injury. Remember the phrase:

Call 9-1-1 TO SAVE A LIFE, STOP A CRIME OR REPORT A FIRE

When Calling 911 Remember
★ REMAIN CALM

★ SPEAK CLEARLY

★ LISTEN TO ALL INSTRUCTIONS

★ ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS

★ DO NOT HANG UP UNTIL TOLD TO

When NOT to Call 911

Don’t call 9-1-1 when the power, telephone or other utility goes off. Call your utility company.
Don’t call 9-1-1 to see how much a traffic ticket is.
Don’t call 9-1-1 to see if someone is in jail.
Don’t call 9-1-1 for threatening weather or to get a weather report. Monitor local TV and radio stations.
Don’t call 9-1-1 for directions or travel information.
Don’t call 9-1-1 for noise, parking or traffic complaints
Don’t call 9-1-1 for Telephone Directory Information (411)

Remember: Call 9-1-1 Only When Seconds Count!