When you dial 9-1-1 for a fire or medical emergency the call
is routed to the emergency dispatch center. In the City of
Marshfield that center is located at the Police Department. The
center dispatches for both the city's Fire and Police
Departments. The Marshfield Fire and Rescue Department has
produced the following guidelines and a list of questions you may
be asked by a dispatcher when you call 9-1-1.
When to call 9-1-1?
1. Life threatening event.
2. Fire and/or Ambulance needs.
3. Vehicle accidents that have just occurred.
4. Any in-progress fire or medical need.
What information you need to
give the dispatcher
1. What are you reporting? (Type of incident,
what you see or hear.)
2. Where is the emergency? (Is it where you the caller is
or elsewhere?)
3. When did the incident occur? Is it occurring right
now?
4. Is anyone hurt or need medical aid?
5. What is the caller's address and phone number?
6. Description of the vehicle(s) and/or victim(s).
Inappropriate use of 9-1-1
1. Information needed regarding telephone numbers.
2. Programming your phone for 9-1-1.
3. Road and/or weather conditions.
4. Power outages.
5. Requests for directions and/or non-emergency
information.
6. Any incident not in-progress.
7. Noise complaints and/or City ordinance violations.
8. Cat stuck in tree.
Why NOT to call 9-1-1 as a
prank
1. Ties up an emergency line and the dispatchers.
2. Fire/Police will respond to the location of the call and check
the welfare of the caller.
