The 911 emergency telephone system is in place in Central Huron to assist citizens with Police, Medical or Fire emergencies. It should be realized that non-emergency calls to the 911 system can create delays in handling other very serious emergencies that require immediate attention. The following are some general guidelines for the proper use of the 911 system.

What happens if you dial 9-1-1?

1) You are in an emergency situation that requires emergency assistance from police, fire crews, or ambulance personnel. You call 9-1-1.

2) A central Call-Taker in Ottawa responds immediately, and asks “Do you require police, fire, or ambulance?” You say which of the three you need.

· If you say nothing, all three will be sent automatically

· If you need more than one, say one of the ones you need. The rest will be sent after step 3 (see below).

3) Your call, as well as the address from which you are placing the call will be automatically forwarded to a local dispatcher. Stay on the line. The local dispatcher will confirm your address. You will have the opportunity then to specify details as to the nature of the emergency, including any other assistance you might need

· If you call from a cell phone or a 4-party line, you will not have an address automatically forwarded to the local dispatcher. In this case, you must specify your location.

· If you call from a location other than the site of the emergency, the location from which you are calling will be sent to the local dispatcher. In this case, you must specify the location of the actual emergency.

4) The local dispatcher will send the emergency services required.
Enhanced 9-1-1 means that all that really needs to be done to get emergency services to your house is to dial 9-1-1. Even if, for any reason, you are not able to have a conversation or speak into the telephone, police, fire and ambulance will arrive at the location from which the call is placed.

When should you use 9-1-1?

DO call 9-1-1 in any situation that requires ambulance, paramedic or first aid assistance

DO call 9-1-1 in any situation that requires attention from the police

DO call 9-1-1 in any situation that requires fire fighting crews

DON’T call 9-1-1 if you need to call your local hospital.

DON’T call 9-1-1 if you need to talk to a member of an emergency crew.

DON’T call 9-1-1 to reach the County of Huron’s 9-1-1 Administrative Department.

9-1-1 is not anyone’s work number.

DON’T call 9-1-1 to make sure that it works. Quality control is handled by the County of Huron. If you have concerns about 9-1-1 working at your location, you should contact the County of Huron directly. Even if you claim that you only called 9-1-1 to see if it worked, a police unit will arrive at your location.

DON’T call 9-1-1 for medical advice. You can obtain the number for your local Poison Control Centre from your physician or hospital. Other forms of medical or health advice are best obtained by contacting your physician, registered nurse, hospital emergency room or other health practitioner directly.

Only call 9-1-1 if you wish for paramedics to arrive at your location

DON’T call 9-1-1 as a prank or practical joke. Lines to 9-1-1 dispatchers are dedicated emergency telephone lines. Every time someone calls 9-1-1, it ties up one of these lines, as well as a dispatcher. Besides that, even if you claim that you only called 9-1-1 as a joke, a police unit will arrive at your location.

9-1-1 is for emergency use only.

Of course, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If there is any possibility that life, health or property may be in danger then 9-1-1 is the number to call.

Critical Information the Dispatcher needs to know:

What is the Emergency?
What’s wrong.

Where is the Emergency?
Give the complete address, including any building name or number, apartment or unit number and nearest cross street.

Who Needs Help?
Age/number of people.

Is anyone trapped?
Has everyone made it safely out of the building?

THE ACCURACY OF ALL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES MUST BE VERIFIED AGAIN BY THE DISPATCHER.

NOTE – WAIT FOR THE DISPATCHER TO HANG UP BEFORE YOU DO.

Remain calm and give direct answers to all the questions asked. Speak slowly and clearly. You will be asked additional questions so the dispatcher can send the right type of help. All questions are important.

Understanding what happens when a 911 call is placed will help the system run more efficiently and will bring you the emergency service you need in the shortest possible time.

HOW YOU CAN HELP BEFORE HELP ARRIVES

ASSURE everyone that help is on the way
KEEP THE PHONE LINE CLEAR after the 911 call has been made.
DIRECT SOMEONE TO WAIT OUT FRONT to meet and direct the help
WAVE A FLASHLIGHT or turn on flashers of a car or a porch light if it’s dark or visibility is poor.
SECURE PETS, especially dogs, in a separate area.
HAVE A VISIBLE ADDRESS NUMBER, easily readable from the street.
IF POSSIBLE CONSIDER HAVING AN INTERPRETER if the person or persons needing help do not speak English.

PLEASE DO NOT CALL 911 FOR NON-EMERGENCY SITUATIONS!

Instead call our non-emergency number, which is the O.P.P. Administration offices at Huron Highway 21 Detachment – 519-524-8314 or
Clinton Detachment – 519-482-9626

9-1-1 Signs

Each property owner is responsible for the maintenance of the civic address 9-1-1 sign placed on their property. In the case of damage to the plates or the post, repairs must be done promptly.

The cost of new blades and posts will be charged to new building applications as well as properties not having 9-1-1 blades at the present time.

For replacement of 9-1-1 signs the costs will be:

• for blades - $18.00
• for posts - $12.00

If you need replacement signs please contact the Municipal office immediately.