Frequently Asked Questions
Dial 9-1-1 to report any emergency: Police, Fire or Medical. If you
need help, immediately, dial 9-1-1 . Don't waste time, dial 9-1-1 as soon as you think help
is needed! Some examples of times to dial 9-1-1:
- Car wreck
- Someone is choking on their food
- Fire of any type, house, woods or other building
- If you see a crime
- Dangerous situation such as gas leak or a power line down
- Someone is drowning
- Someone is hurt or is bleeding or is having trouble breathing
- Tornado or other severe weather damages your home
All you have to do is answer our questions! Stay on the phone and answer
the dispatcher's questions as calmly as you can. We will ask the following:
- The location of the emergency. If you do not know the address, be prepared to give directions or describe your
location.
- The nature of the emergency. Tell us in plain language what is happening.
- Details about the emergency.
The Dispatcher is trained to get more information while the emergency units are responding. Many times the dispatcher will stay on the line with you until responders arrive.
You can make a real difference by helping until the emergency units
arrive. The dispatcher will provide directions for things such as:
- CPR
- Rescue Breathing
- Childbirth
- Choking (Heimlich maneuver)
- Controlling Bleeding
- Other first-aid
Osage County dispatchers are trained to provide pre-arrival
instructions to callers. Medical emergencies are the most common use of pre-arrival
instructions. Other pre-arrival instructions include evacuation and survival techniques
in a burning building or exiting and/or barricading techniques with callers involved in
a domestic disturbance.
Do not call 9-1-1 if the problem is not a true emergency. If you call 9-1-1 for non-emergencies, someone
with a real emergency might have a delay in receiving service. Below are some examples of
non-emergencies:
- Loud party or music
- Barking dogs or cats up a tree
- To ask directions or for general information
- To report water or electricity is out
- To check if a police report is ready
- To check for severe weather reports
If you have a non-emergency, please dial 573.897.2285 or 573.897.2338.
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