Emergency Dispatch FAQs

When do you call 9-1-1?

Examples of when to call 9-1-1 are:

• When you see smoke or fire.
• When someone's life and/or property are in immediate danger.
• When you see a crime in progress.
• When rescue or emergency medical assistance is needed.
• When you are not sure, call and let trained personnel decide.

When should you not call 9-1-1?

Unless you need an immediate response to a police, fire or medical emergency, call the non-emergency number 541-997-3515.

Some examples of non-emergency police calls within the City Limits are:

• Your house or car was broken into yesterday.
• Your missing child has returned home.
• You need to add additional items to the burglary report which you made last week.
• Your car was stolen sometime overnight.
• Someone stole your bicycle while you were at school.
• There is an abandoned vehicle on your street.

What will the communications officers ask you when you call 9-1-1?

All callers are asked a standard set of questions which will help the dispatcher prioritize your call, and will provide the responding personnel with information before their arrival. Please use real language - don't try to use lingo or slang, it will only confuse the situation. We are looking for you to tell us briefly what is happening or what happened, a description of the responsible person(s), and a vehicle description.

The following are just some of the questions we may ask you.

• Where are you and where did the incident happen?
• Is anyone injured?
• When did this occur?
• How many people are involved?
• Race, sex, height, weight, clothing, hair color, facial hair, eyeglases, hat, etc.
• Were weapons involved?
• If so, what kind of weapons or where the weapons are?
• Was the person carrying anything?
• What was the last direction of travel or where did the person go?
• What kind of car is involved? (Make, model, color, license plate number, etc.?)
• What was the last direction of travel?

You are encouraged to answer all of the questions asked when you call 9-1-1. The information we are asking for is critical for us to adequately respond and help. We know how stressful an emergency situation can be and that you may be experiencing a myriad of emotions, but we ask that you answer the questions as calmly as you can. Sometimes it may sound as if the dispatchers are repeating themselves with the same questions, but you may give more detail the second time asked as there may have been something you've forgotten earlier. Please don't become irritated as they are trying to obtain important information to assist you. Finally, do not hang up until the 9-1-1 Dispatcher, or the on scene Police or Fire personnel, direct you to do so.

Emergency response will not be delayed by answering the above questions. In most instances, assistance will be dispatched while you are still on the phone. By answering the dispatcher's questions, the dispatcher can relay important information to the units responding prior to their arrival. This increases the chances of a successful outcome to the call.
 

What if I make a mistake and dial 9-1-1 in error?

Do not hang up. Before you hang up, be sure to tell the dispatcher that you have dialed 9-1-1 by mistake, and that you do not need emergency help. This is particularly important if you dial from a business phone with several phone lines. Anytime the police dispatcher receives a 9-1-1 "hang up"; the caller must be contacted to be sure that no actual emergency exists. If your business has dozens or even hundreds of phone lines, it may be impossible for the dispatcher to determine who, if anyone needs help, and an officer may be dispatched to the address.
 

What if I am deaf or hard of hearing?

Each 9-1-1 station in the Communcations Center is equipped with a TTY machine. To access TTY or TDD, press the space bar until a response is received.
 

If you were injured and unable to call for help, would your young child know how to get help?

Make sure your child knows the following information:

• Name (yours and the child's).
• Address (including name of the apartment complex and the apartment number if applicable).
• Phone number.

What can you do to ensure the best possible response by public safety emergency personnel?

• Have the directions to your home from the nearest main road, intersection or major landmark next to your phones.
• Have a back up battery available for immediate use should you use cordless phones.
• Make sure your house number is visible at night from the street and is clearly posted where your driveway joins the main road.