1. What is 9-1-1?
To
give the people of New Orleans one easily
remembered number to dial in case of
emergencies, the Orleans Parish Communication
District installed the 9-1-1 emergency telephone
number. An emergency is any threat to life or
property or a crime in progress. For example, a
heart attack, a fire, and a fight in which
someone could be seriously hurt are all
emergencies. Such things as a burglary that
happened while you were gone, a barking dog, and
a burned out fire or a scheduled ride to the
hospital or nursing home are not
considered emergencies. To find out more
information or to report on one of these less
urgent situations, use one of the seven digit
numbers shown below.
Fire 483-2550
Police 821-2222 or 821-NOPD
EMS 827-3200
A good question to ask yourself before calling
9-1-1 is, "Could someone's life or property be
saved or could a criminal be caught more easily if
I called now instead of waiting a few hours?" If
you think the answer is "yes" then call 9-1-1. If
it is "no" dial one of other numbers.
2. What
Happens when you dial 9-1-1?
When you dial 9-1-1 an operator will answer
"9-1-1, what is your emergency?" Telephone company
records give the number and address of the caller
and are flashed onto a computer screen in front of
the operator. As completely, clearly, and calmly
as you can, describe what happened. The operator
will ask you to repeat the address to which you
want a car, fire truck, or ambulance to be sent.
He or she will get as much information from you as
possible about what the policemen, firemen or
paramedics can expect to find when they
arrive.
Don't be afraid to answer completely and at
some length. If necessary, the operator will send
a car to the address you have given even while the
two of you are talking. Because the operator is
also in radio contact with the emergency vehicle,
the information you give after it is sent may save
a life.
It is important, if at all possible, for the
caller to explain what has happened. Even though
the telephone number and location are flashed on
the screen, if no one stays on the line to tell
what has happened, the operator may suspect a
false alarm and will try to call the number back.
Because she or he will be unsure whether to send a
fire truck, police car or ambulance, the time it
takes the appropriate emergency vehicle to get
there will be slower. Also, the number and address
that flash on the screen are only as good as
telephone company records. To prevent the
possibility of going to the wrong address, please
be prepared to describe exactly what happened and
where it happened.
Please remember that 9-1-1 is only an emergency
telephone number. It does connect you quickly with
police, fire, and medical operators, but it does
not guarantee on-the-scene emergency vehicles. The
speed with which someone arrives depends on the
urgency of the situation you describe and the
availability of resources at the time.
3. What happens when
someone dials 9-1-1 as a prank?
In the first place it is a crime to knowingly
give a false report of a crime, fire, or medical
emergency. If you are caught doing so, you can be
arrested and fined or imprisoned. Because the
enhanced 9-1-1 system does show the number and the
address from which the call came, it is possible
to trace false alarms calls.
Second, if the operator is unable to determine
whether or not the call is a real emergency, a
police car will be sent to the address. Then, if a
real emergency happens somewhere else, there would
be fewer cars available to handle it. Such
unnecessary calls cost taxpayers money and could
cost property and lives. For the safety of
everyone, don't hesitate to call 9-1-1 in an
emergency, but don't do so for fun.
4. Why must I pay for
9-1-1 when I've never used it?
A
tax paid on monthly telephone bills was approved
by the voters in a 1982 election to fund the
9-1-1 equipment and operations. The cost is
approximately 41 cents for residential customers
and approximately $1.11 for businesses. As with
any other tax, such as social security or taxes
for defense, we all pay so that the system will
be there when we need it. You may have never
used 9-1-1 yet and we hope you never have to,
but your regular payment insures that 9-1-1 will
be there for you if you do need it.
5. Why did no one
answer immediately when I called?
During busy periods a call going into a 9-1-1
answering center falls in line behind others
coming before it. Calls are then answered in the
order in which they were received. 9-1-1 calls are
usually answered within seconds. It is important
to stay on the line until your call is answered.
If you hang up and call back you will lose your
place in line. Experts have found that when you
are under stress a few seconds can seem much
longer. Just so you will be able to judge how long
it takes, a phone usually rings at the rate of 10
times per minute.
6. Why did no one
come immediately when I called?
9-1-1 is only a means of quick reaching
emergency operators. It does not itself provide
the emergency service. How quickly an emergency
vehicle is sent to answer your call depends on two
factors: the type of emergency you have described
and the availability of vehicles.
7.
Can I call 9-1-1
from a cellular phone?
Calling 9-1-1 from a car or cellular phone will
connect you with the agency which resides in your
cell site. Since the Automatic Number and Location
Identifiers do not work with cellular phones you
must be sure to give the operator the exact
location of the emergency. Occasionally the
operator will transfer you to the appropriate
jurisdiction where the emergency is located.
8. Can I call 9-1-1
from a TDY phone?
You may call 9-1-1 from a TDY phone or you may
use 821-4327.
9.
Can I call
9-1-1 from a pay phone?
No coin is required to call 9-1-1 from a pay
phone.
