911 Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens When I Call 911?

To help dispatchers prioritize your call and to provide the responders with the information they need, everyone is asked a standard set of questions. Your dispatcher will need to know:

1. Location of the problem
   Your accurate location is one of the most important pieces of information you can give to your Public Safety Dispatcher.  Be prepared to give your address or a description of the location, like a nearby intersection.
2. Your callback phone number
   Once the Public Safety Dispatcher has verified your exact location, you will be expected to provide your callback phone number.  This is critical information; should the call be cut off, or we need to call you back to obtain more information.
3. Type of problem
   The Public Safety Dispatcher will need to know if you are reporting an emergency or a non-emergency situation. You will be asked for a basic description of what happened and when it happened.
4. All available information
   Details about the emergency, such as a physical description of a person who may have committed a crime, a description of any fire that may be burning, or a description of injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency

Tips to Remember:

Remember, the Public Safety Dispatcher’s questions are important to get the right kind of help to you quickly. Be prepared to follow any instructions the dispatcher gives you. They are trained to be able to tell you exactly what to do until help arrives, such as providing step-by-step instructions to aid someone who is choking or needs first aid or CPR. Do not hang up until the dispatcher instructs you to do so.

What do I do if I Accidentally Call 911?

If you call 9-1-1 by mistake, DO NOT HANG UP! Tell the dispatcher that you called by mistake and that you do not have an emergency. Any time a dispatcher receives a 911 “hang-up”, the caller must be contacted to be sure that no actual emergency exists. This may require that an officer be needlessly dispatched to your home or office to ensure the well-being of all persons there.

Can I Text 911 for Emergency Assistance?

YES. Saunders County is equipped with Text-to-911 capabilities.  It is always best to call 911 in an emergency.  But if you can’t call, you can text.

How Can People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Reach 911 for Help?

The Saunders County 911 Center is equipped to handle TDD/TTY and Text-to-911.

Employment

Visit the Saunders County Sheriff’s website to apply to become part of our team!