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 Using 911 Properly
Could Save Your Life!
Calling 911 IS NOT A GAME. It should be called ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY.
What is an Emergency?
An emergency is any serious medical problem (chest pain, seizure, bleeding), any type of fire (business, car, building), or any life-threatening situation (fights, person with weapons, etc) that requires a police, fire, or medical response. You are also urged to call 9-1-1 to report crimes that are in progress, whether or not a life is threatened.
In Colorado Springs you would call 9-1-1 to:
- SAVE A LIFE
- PUT OUT A FIRE
- STOP A CRIME
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Press the image to get a "Kids Coloring Page" on Calling When It Counts!
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What is not an emergency?
There are several types of calls in which police, fire, or medical help is needed but not immediate. Generally, non-emergency calls are not occurring at the time of the call and there is no immediate threat to life or property. In non-emergency situations you would call the City of Colorado Springs Police and Fire Non-Emergency number. This number is 719- 444-7000.
Examples of an emergency:
Call 9-1-1
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Examples of non-emergencies:
Call 444-7000 (In Colorado Springs)
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Any suspected or actual fire
(get out and then call)
A smoke detector sounding
Domestic violence
Child abuse or neglect
Heart attack
Suicidal persons
Poisoning
Carbon monoxide detector sounding
(get out and then call)
Small child locked in car
Explosions seen or heard
Burglary in progress
Weapon use or gunshots heard
Suspected DUI driver
Any crime in progress
Traffic accident with injuries |
A crime no longer in progress
Reporting a stolen bike
Minor injuries like a cut finger
Reporting a non-injury traffic accident
Graffiti
Animals in trees
A toothache
Panhandling / Prostitution
Stolen car
Noise complaints
Parties / Keggers
Disabled vehicle
Kids skateboarding on the sidewalk |
The above list is only meant to serve as a general example and is not meant to all inclusive. Remember, if you are unsure if your situation in an emergency - call 9-1-1. The 911 Operator can assist you further or will refer you to the non-emergency number.
IN CASE OF FIRE GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND CALL FROM A NEARBY PHONE!
In non-emergent situations you would call the non-emergent dispatch phone number. In Colorado Springs this number is 719- 444-7000. You would call this number to report an event that is no longer in progress, or where no life threatening situation is occurring.
If you are unsure if your situation is an emergency it is okay to call 9-1-1. It is better to be safe than sorry.
When you call 9-1-1 DO NOT HANG UP (even if you accidentally misdialed). Stay on the line and wait for assistance. Emergency services are sent to your house to check on you if you hang up, which can result in delays to true emergencies.
When you call 911
When you call 9-1-1 they will ask you several questions. It is important to stay calm. You should know:
- The address of the emergency
- The phone number from where you are calling
- The description of the emergency
- Your name
- Your phone number for future calls to obtain more information
- You may be asked to stay on the phone to help provide information
USING 911 PROPERLY COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
Other important non-emergency numbers in Colorado Springs:
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Colorado Springs Police and Fire Non-Emergency
American Medical Response Ambulance
City of Colorado Springs Code Enforcement
Poison Control
Road Reports
Colorado Springs Utilities
The Humane Society
Memorial Hospital Ask-A-Nurse
El Paso County Sheriff |
719-444-7000
719-636-2333
719-444-7891
800-222-1222
877-315-7623
719-448-4800
719-227-7387
719-444-2273
719-390-5555 |
History of 9-1-1
The impetus for a single, nationwide emergency telephone number did not gain momentum in the United States until 1957, when the National Association of Fire Chiefs began to advocate a single emergency telephone number for reporting fires.
In the late 1960's, the Presidents Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice recommended that a national emergency telephone number be established for reporting emergencies to the police. Subsequently, on January 12, 1968, American Telephone and Telegraph announced that the 3-digit number "9-1-1" would be made available for national use as an emergency telephone number. Others issued a national policy statement supporting the nationwide adoption of "9-1-1" as the universal emergency telephone number in the United States.
On February 16, 1968, Senator Rankin Fite made the first 9-1-1 call that was placed in the United States. That historic telephone call was made in Haleyville, Alabama on a telephone line which was installed by Alabama Telephone, a subsidiary of Continental Telephone. That 9-1-1 system is still in operation today.
In 1973, the Office of Telecommunications Policy, Executive Offices of the President, issued a national policy statement supporting 9-1-1, and encouraging its adoption by cities. By 1979, approximately 26 percent of the population of the United States had 9-1-1 service. Nine (9) different States had enacted 9-1-1 legislation, and the service was growing at a rate of 70 new systems each year. By 1987, approximately 50 percent of the population of the United States had access to 9-1-1 service.
By the early part of 1995, about 70 percent of the population of the United States had 9-1-1 service, with about 90% percent of that being "Enhanced 9-1-1" service. Those figures show that the old "Basic 9-1-1" service is quickly being phased out. Only about 35 percent of the geographic area of the United States had 9-1-1 service, however, which indicates that more people who live in a larger urban areas had access to 9-1-1 service than did people who live in small rural areas. (Sourced from www.ncnena.org)
The City of Colorado Springs & 9-1-1.
The City of Colorado Springs Police & Fire Department operates a fully staffed around the clock 9-1-1 Communications Center in conjunction with the El Paso-Teller County 9-1-1 Authority. The Communications Center personal are certified in Emergency Police, Fire and Medical Dispatch through the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch,a renowned and recognized body of industry experts. The Communications Center is one of only 80 Accredited Centers nationwide. | 
