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When should you call 9-1-1? What actually counts as an "emergency"? When you're on the phone with a 9-1-1 dispatcher, what do you tell them?  Read on for the answers to all your 9-1-1 questions... 


                   First, compare these two sample 9-1-1 calls.
                        Which one is an actual "emergency"?

      ___________________________________________________

        9-1-1 Dispatcher:  This is 9-1-1, what 
      is your emergency?

       Caller:   Ummm.... I can't find my other
      shoe and I'm late for school!

      __________________________________________________


                          Now compare that call to this one:     

        ___________________________________________________

      
        9-1-1 Dispatcher:  This is 9-1-1,
      what is your emergency?

      Caller:  Help! My house is on fire!
     
     ____________________________________________________


The first call is not a true emergency, but the second call definitely falls into the emergency category! When it's used correctly, 9-1-1 can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.  In addition, it is the quickest, easiest way to contact local emergency help, such as fire, police, and medical services.  All you have to do is pick up the phone, listen for the dial tone, and dial 9-1-1.




An emergency is when police, fire, or medical help is needed immediately (now!) to protect a life or property.  The following are suitable situations for calling 9-1-1: 

  • a crime is happening (robbery, someone taken hostage)
  • a fire
  • a serious injury
  • a serious illness
  • a lost child
  • a car accident


When situations like these occur, they classify as emergencies and you should contact 9-1-1 right away.  When you aren't sure if you have an emergency on hand, call 9-1-1 and the dispatcher will make the final decision.  Below are instances that you do not call 9-1-1 for:

  • lost shoes
  • noisy neighbors
  • a cat stuck in a tree
  • a dog ran away
  • keys locked in the car


If you need an officer to assist you with a NON-emergency, you can call the Butler County Dispatch Center at (316) 320-1294. You will hear a recording that will direct you to the right agency. 

If you live in Augusta or Andover, you can call the dispatch center for your city:

                 Andover:     (316) 733-5177
                 Augusta:     (316) 775-4500



The most important information that the dispatcher needs from you is:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your phone number
  • The reason you are calling
  • The truth. It is against the law to give false information to 9-1-1 or to make a situation sound worse than it really is.

And remember:  stay CALM when you call 9-1-1.  The dispatcher will be able to understand you better and get the information out to police, firefighters and EMS faster.



So what exactly is "reverse 9-1-1"? Is it when you dial 9-1-1 backwards? Not exactly. It is like regular 9-1-1; however, instead of you calling 9-1-1, they call you!

What is Reverse 9-1-1 used for?

The system is used to alert households to an emergency situation that may affect them. Examples include:

*A lost child in your area

*A hazardous material spill affecting you (like if a train has de-railed or crashed near your home)

*A jail escapee or someone running from the police on foot


How Reverse 9-1-1 works...

The system is set up to be able to call specific, designated areas.  When an affected area has been determined, 12 phones go to work calling every household within that area.  When a person answers the phone, he/she hears Dan Dillon's (from KFDI) recorded voice with the nature of the incident.  The recording either gives you all the details, or gives you a number to contact for further information.  So, when you hear a recorded voice come on the phone, do not hang-up.  Stay on the phone and listen to the information, or hand the phone to your parents.


What Reverse 9-1-1 does NOT do:

  • Reverse 9-1-1 will not call you individually about an emergency in your family.
  • Reverse 9-1-1 is not a substitute for personal responsibility.
  • Reverse 9-1-1 will not contact you with severe weather notifications.
  • Reverse 9-1-1 cannot call unlisted phone numbers or cell phones unless you call the Dispatch Center (1-800-822-5306) and give them your number.
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