When to Call 9-1-1

Every year, fire personnel respond to hundreds of thousands of calls for assistance. Most of these calls are responded to in less than 5 minutes. Here are some ways you can help the fire department help you during an emergency:

Only Call 9-1-1 to Report:

• A fire
• A serious crime
• Any serious medical condition
• Any situation requiring immediate response of Police, Fire or Emergency Medical Personnel

What the 9-1-1 Operator Will Need to Know:

• Address of the emergency
• Phone number you are calling from
• Nature of the emergency

Stay calm, speak clearly, be prepared to answer questions, receive instructions and stay on the phone until you are told to hang up!

Grand Traverse County uses what is called priority dispatch. This means that the person you talk to when you call 9-1-1 for a medical response will ask you a series of questions to better get you the appropriate help needed in the quickest amount of time. If you refuse to answer the questions or if you don't cooperate or hang up if will further delay the response of the medical attention that you need. Although when calling 9-1-1 it may be an emergency and your adrenaline might be rushing, you need to make an attempt to stay as calm as possible to help the 9-1-1 operator.

Emergency Vehicles and You

When an emergency vehicle has its lights and siren on, it is responding to an emergency. It is the law and YOUR responsibility to:

• Pull to the right side of the road and STOP until the emergency vehicle has passed.
• Give all emergency vehicles the right-of-way.
• Keep back at least 500 feet from an emergency vehicle when it is responding with lights and sirens.
• Do not drive over fire hoses. Fire hoses have to be replaced when you drive over them.
• Drive carefully around an emergency scene and do not attempt to see what is going on. You may cause another emergency.

At the Emergency

• Have someone wait at the street to direct the fire and police departments to the emergency.
• If you are a witness to the emergency, stay at the scene to provide emergency personnel with information.
• If you are asked to move or leave the area, DO IT! The firefighters and police officers are looking out for your safety.
• Remember, things can become very hectic in an emergency. Firefighters and police officers need to do their job in a safe way.

Some Other Tips:

• Make sure your address is visible from the street.
• Keep areas around fire hydrants clear of parked cars, fences, bushes, tall weeds and debris.
• Keep bushes, trees, grass and weeds cut or trimmed to avoid the chance of brush fires.
• If you have security bars on your windows, make sure they are fitted with inside quick releases.