Emergency Reporting

Published Dec. 12, 2008
By 375th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- As a reminder for all emergencies call 911. Recently the fire department has been receiving emergency calls/notifications over admin phone lines and from outside sources i.e., someone calling security forces to report a fire related emergency.

As a reminder for all emergencies, whether it is for a medical, police or fire related emergencies to include carbon monoxide alarms, smoke alarms, smoke haze, smell of smoke or gas, etc. need to be reported to one number, 911.

Below is the basic emergency reporting information:

When reporting an emergency remain calm as possible and call 911. If necessary, take a deep breath and try to speak clearly.

· Immediately tell the 911 dispatcher the nature of your emergency "I need the police, fire or an ambulance. This is important to be transferred to the appropriate agency at Scott.

· Be prepared to provide the following information:

o Location of the emergency (important: provide a complete address to include the street name and building number; very important if calling from a cell phone)

o Location you are calling from (if different)

o Name and call back telephone number

o Details of the emergency (keep details short and to the point)

o If medical emergency; condition of the subject (sex, age, medical complaint or condition, are they breathing and conscious, any information on drugs or alcohol that may be in there system, allergies etc.

o For fire emergencies; what is on fire? (Building, house, vehicle, vegetation, trash etc.) If it is the building/house you are calling from get out.

Details, names, descriptions of any persons or vehicles involved in the incident.

· Any other information requested by the 911 dispatcher

· Follow any instructions given by the 911 dispatcher unless doing so would become dangerous. The caller may be required to administer life saving medical, treatment or to remove the caller or others from a potentially dangerous situation. The caller might be asked to open or unlock the front door or wait for responding emergency personnel. Stay on the line until instructed to disconnect

· When faced with an emergency every second counts and a few moments can seem like a lifetime when waiting for help. At times, the questions the dispatcher may ask may seem unnecessary and unimportant. Keep in mind that these questions are necessary in order provide the best course of action for your situation. Often emergency personnel may already be responding while the 911 dispatcher still has the caller on the line. Be patient when asked to be placed on hold. The dispatcher may be dispatching the information via radio to the responding personnel or may have another emergency that also needs attention

· Answer all questions honestly, directly and quickly. Do not embellish or fabricate information thinking it may accomplish a faster response. Reporting a false emergency or misuse of 911 is a crime and may inadvertently prevent someone else from obtaining emergency assistance. A false reporting may also be placing an innocent party in danger or under unnecessary suspicion

· Try not to yell, use profanity or be discourteous to the 911 dispatcher; their jobs are difficult and stressful enough. If any emergency responder has treats a caller unfairly or unprofessionally, the caller has the right to file a complaint with their agency

· There may be a situation in which you are unable to remain on the 911 line to answer questions. If this is the case dial 911, provide as much information as possible and leave the line open until help arrives

· Reminder, call 911 even if there is fire suppression/detection system activation and reports all fires even if they have been extinguished