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911 Emergency Telephone System
The 9-1-1 E (Enhanced) emergency telephone service was implemented to allow an easier and more effective response to an emergency situation. 9-1-1 is a single emergency telephone number that makes it easier to remember and faster for anyone to reach police, fire or ambulance services. However, 9-1-1 should only be used when urgent police, fire or ambulance assistance is required. If you do not have an emergency and you have a need to contact the police, fire or ambulance services, you are to contact them at one of their non-emergency numbers, which are published in local telephone books as a non-emergency, or information number.
The 9-1-1 E system can be used in the following ways if you have an emergency and need immediate response from police, fire or ambulance services:
- If at home, dial 9-1-1.
- If at a business or other location, you may need to dial an outside line before dialing 9-1-1.
- If at a pay phone, dial 9-1-1 - no deposit is required.
- If using a cell phone, dial 9-1-1 and push the "send" button.
- TTY users, dial 9-1-1 then press the space bar intermittently until a response is received.
- Remain calm and speak clearly.
- Listen and answer questions.
When calling 9-1-1 you will be asked the following information:
- Do you require police, fire or ambulance?
- Name of person calling.
- What type of emergency.
- Any injuries, if applicable.
- Any other pertinent information that the operator may require.
Parents should take the time to teach all members of their family the importance of 9-1-1 in order to ensure a safe and timely response to any emergency:
- Teach your children how and when to get help from 9-1-1.
- Teach your children their address and telephone number as soon as they are able to learn it.
- Keep it posted beside the telephone. This way it will be right there in a panic situation.
- Teach your children that if they must call 9-1-1 to answer all questions and stay on the phone until they are told to hang up.
- Teach your children the dangers of making prank 9-1-1 calls. (waste of a police officer's time in responding, and maybe tie an officer up when there is a real emergency somewhere else.
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| Brockville's 911 dispatch centre. |
Check out the FCC web site about 911 services.
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