Why do dispatchers ask SO MANY QUESTIONS?
Emergency dispatchers need to get accurate information to allow officers to make the best decision on how to approach the situation. Dispatchers handling fire and paramedic calls must also consider the well-being of the public and the safety of the firefighters and paramedics. The information you provide a dispatcher is relayed to responding emergency services while they are on their way to the call. This allows them to help make educated decisions about how they respond to the call and what equipment they take with them. We also need to know if you're going to be at, or near, the scene when we arrive because the police may need to talk to you, or you may need to point out the exact location. We may ask you what kind of car you are in, or what color clothing you are wearing
All 9-1-1 calls begin with:
9-1-1 What is the LOCATION of your emergency?
This is the MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION you can give LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
What is the phone number you are calling from?
We need this in-case we lose the call, we can call you back
What is your name?
Tell me exactly what happened.
Tell us what just happened, not what lead up to the event
You will be asked a series of questions; those questions may seem pointless to you but they are being asked for a purpose.
9-1-1 What is the LOCATION of your emergency?
This is the MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION you can give LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
What is the phone number you are calling from?
We need this in-case we lose the call, we can call you back
What is your name?
Tell me exactly what happened.
Tell us what just happened, not what lead up to the event
You will be asked a series of questions; those questions may seem pointless to you but they are being asked for a purpose.