Communicating With 911 Dispatchers

In a basic life support class, students are instructed to call 911 or the workplace emergency number in the event of an emergency. It is the job of the 911 dispatcher to evaluate and prioritize the call based on the information received. When talking to an emergency dispatcher it is not always easy to remain calm depending on the circumstances. However, it is important to try and be as clear as possible with regards to the emergency that you have so that the dispatcher can send the most appropriate resources. In many U.S. regions, 911 is a public access number for police, EMS, and the fire department. You would not want police to show up to you house if a family member is having chest pain.

As soon as you a dispatcher answers and asks you “do you have an emergency?” you need to affirm and make a very clear statement. Talking to a dispatcher could be looked at like doing an internet search. If you are looking for “apples” you would not type in “fruit”. In order to help the dispatcher prioritize the call, think of an exact match type of phrase. “I have a family member having chest pain.” Is much more clear then “I have a family member who is sick.”

Clarity helps the dispatcher determine the priority of the call quickly, which in turn will help the overall response time. In an emergency, time is critical. A basic first aid class can teach you how to effectively activate the EMS system and provide basic level care until help arrives.

1 Comment for this entry

  • Pharmacy Technician School

    Calling from cell phones has gotten much better then in the past. You still want to try and give as much information as possible regarding your location BUT...the technology to know where you are at "exactly" is there...Big Brother is indeed watching us AND although such information is not fully public is exist just the same.

  • New York NY
    Los Angeles CA
    Chicago IL
    Houston TX
    Phoenix AZ
    Philadelphia PN
    San Antonio TX
    San Diego CA
    Dallas TX
    San Jose CA
    Detroit MI
    Jacksonville FL
    Indianapolis IN
    Hempstead NY
    San Francisco CA
    Columbus Ohio
    Austin TX
    Memphis TN
    Baltimore MD
    Fort Worth TX
    Charlotte NC
    El Paso TX
    Boston MA
    WS District of Columbia
    Milwaukee WI
    Seattle WS
    Denver CO
    Nashville-Davidson TN
    Las Vegas NV
    Portland OR
    Ok City Ok
    Tucson AZ
    Albuquerque NM
    Atlanta Georgia
    Long Beach CA
    Brookhaven NY
    Fresno CA
    New Orleans
    Sacramento CA
    Cleveland OH
    Kansas City KC
    Mesa AZ
    Virginia Beach VA
    Omaha NE
    Oakland CA
    Miami FL
    Tulsa Ok
    Honolulu HI
    Minneapolis MN
    CO Springs CO
    Arlington TX
    Wichita KS
    St. Louis MO
    Raleigh NC
    Santa Ana CA
    Anaheim CA
    Cincinnati OH
    Islip NY
    Tampa FL
    Pittsburgh PA
    Toledo OH
    Aurora CO
    Oyster Bay NY
    Bakersfield CA
    Riverside CA
    Stockton CA
    Corpus Christi TX
    Newark NJ
    Buffalo NY
    Anchorage AK
    St. Paul MN
    Lexington-Fayette KY
    Plano TX
    Reno NV
    Durham NC
    St. Petersburg FL
    Fort Wayne IN
    Glendale AZ
    Jersey City NJ
    Lincoln NE
    Greensboro NC
    Henderson NV
    Chandler AZ
    Norfolk VA
    Birmingham AL
    Scottsdale AZ
    North Hempstead NY
    Madison WI
    Baton Rouge LA
    Hialeah FL
    Chesapeake VA
    Garland TX
    Babylon NY
    Orlando FL
    Akron OH
    Chula Vista CA
    Lubbock TX
    Rochester NY
    Laredo TX
    Modesto CA
    Sacramento CA

  • Tags bcls 1st aid adult cpr basic life support bls cpr certification cpr classes cpr for the pro cpr for the professional rescuer cpr training First aid first aid care first aid certification first aid classes first aid course first aid training firts aid for black eye firts aid for burns firts aid for cat scratch firts aid for impales object infant cpr pediatric cpr red cross first aid trauma kit
  • iDream theme by Templates Next | Learn more about Pharmacy Tech Certification | Classes | Schools