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1. What is 911?

911 is an emergency telephone number that will connect a caller to a trained professional who can quickly dispatch the police, emergency medical personnel and/or the Fire Department.

2. When should I call 911?

You should call 911 for any emergency.

3. What is an emergency?

911 is to be used only in situations of immediate threat to life and/or property that requires immediate response from Police, Fire or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) requiring immediate response.

An emergency might include, but is not limited to: 

• A fire; any kind of fire, whether it’s a vehicle, home, empty building or grass
• Medical emergencies
• A serious medical problem, such as:
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Choking
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Seizures
  • Severe bleeding
  • Severe chest pains
• Any emergency where life, body or personal property is in immediate danger, such as an accident with injuries, a fight, a domestic situation or a burglary or destruction of property in progress

4. When shouldn't I call 911?

911 is not to be used for cases such as: 

• Barking dogs
• Complaint follow-ups
• General questions
• Loud music
• Noise complaints
• Routine medical transports
• Other non-emergency calls

Please use the non-emergency number 219-663-2131. You will receive the service you want and not hamper 911 operations for true emergencies.

5. What happens when I call 911?

A highly trained, professional 911 telecommunication dispatcher will answer your call to 911.

Depending on the nature of the call, you will be asked to answer a series of questions. Please listen carefully and answer all questions! The telecommunication dispatchers are trained to ask certain questions for certain incidents. Even though some questions may seem petty, they are very important questions used to provide the highest level of public safety response. Please do not hang up until you are told to do so.

6. What questions will be asked?

• Where - Where is the incident taking place? Where is the patient? Where are you?
• What - What are you reporting? What kind of illness or injury? 
• Who - Who is involved in the incident? Who needs an ambulance? Who are you? 
• When - When did this happen? Is it in progress? 
• Weapons - Does anyone involved have access to any weapons? 
• Callback - What telephone number can you be reached at if we need to call you back? 

While the call taker is asking you these questions, they are also entering the information into the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, which allows another dispatcher to instantly process the call and send help.