Do you know when to call 911? Do you know what to say when the dispatcher picks up? To help you and your family be prepared in the event of an emergency, know what actually constitutes an emergency.

Call 911:

•             When there is a police, fire or medical emergency.

•             To report a crime in progress or just occurred.

•             To report a vehicle accident, with or without injuries.

•             To report a person hurt and/or injured.

•             To report a natural gas leaks (smell of gas).

•             When there are facility alarm bells ringing.

The 911 dispatcher is there to help you from the information they receive.

Be ready to tell the dispatcher:

•             What the emergency is.

•             The exact location where the emergency is occurring. Include the building number (aircraft wing number), house number, street name, and any directional information. (i.e., northwest, south, etc.)

•             Your name, address and the phone number from which you are calling

•             If possible, meet responding emergency response crews to direct to location.

•             Do not hang up until directed to do so. Stay on the telephone until the dispatcher tells you it is okay to hang up.

•             Answer the dispatcher’s questions.

•             If you accidentally call 9-1-1, do not hang up. Stay on the phone and tell them you did not mean to call.

Some helpful hints when calling 911 include:

•             No matter what’s happening, stay calm. Take a deep breath if needed.

•             Have your building number and/or address and phone number on a piece of paper next to the phone.

•             Know what is going on to explain the problem to the 911 dispatcher.

•             Don’t get upset when you are asked questions. The dispatchers are there to help you and are required to confirm information. Dispatchers are people just like you.

In addition, cell phones do not notify dispatchers of your location. When calling 911 from a cellular phone at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, JBSA-Lackland, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston or JBSA-Camp Bullis, your call will be received at the closest off-base 911 dispatch center.

Tell the dispatcher which installation you are calling from. The dispatcher will then transfer the call to your location’s JBSA 911 dispatch center. If calling 911 from a land line from one of the JBSA locations, your call will be directly connected to a JBSA 911 dispatcher.