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Tip 2

WHEN YOU NEED TO CALL 9-1-1 .............

                When you are faced with an emergency and need to dial 9-1-1 , the following tip could save your life!

 

                 When you dial 9-1-1 , the first thing you will hear is, “ 9-1-1 , WHERE is your emergency?”    Imagine trying to give directions to your residence when you are so sick you can barely reach a phone, or become hysterical because of a life threatening incident.  Out of town guests, children or home health-care providers may have a hard time explaining how to get to your house also.  Here is a time-saving and possible life-saving tip:

                Write down those directions to your residence on an index card or piece of paper and tape it to your phone (or nearby). For example:

                                 John Smith’s Residence

                                 123 Hurryup Lane

                                 Welch, WV

                                 Phone: 436-0000

 

                                Hurryup Lane is the street adjacent to Helpme Avenue , on Rt. 52, downtown Welch. My house is the third house on the left next door to the Frontier Phone Building . It is white, 2 stories, and wood- framed, with green shutters. It is surrounded by a picket fence.

                 If you do not live in an area that has city-style addresses (road name/house number) then write down the physical location of your residence. For instance:

                              Joe Johnson

                             Findme Hollow,

                             Black Bear Ridge

                             436-1234  

I live on Route 1 North at Black Bear Ridge in Findme Hollow. Findme Hollow is the first dirt road on the left after you turn onto Rt.1, from Rt. 52. My house is located ½ mile from the mouth of the hollow .You will cross a wooden bridge approximately ¼ mile into the hollow. After you cross the bridge, the road forks, turn left at the fork. Travel ¼ of a mile after you turn left, my house is on the right. It’s a beige doublewide with brown shutters. I have a chain-link dog pen on the left side of my house. I have no neighbors.

 

 After you give an address or community name and route number, the dispatcher can get help heading towards your direction, he/she will then ask for further details.

Naming landmarks (that still exists) in your directions can be a help. Writing down how to get to your home from all directions can be also.

When you call 9-1-1 and hear, “... 911 WHERE is your emergency?”  You may be distraught and can’t think clearly, but you will be able to give directions clearly-- if you have them written down and posted close by.

 

 

Send mail to jgianato@mcdowell911.org with questions or comments about this web site.
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