F I R E     P O L I C E   M E D I C A L

In an emergency, seconds count --- seconds can mean the difference between life and death. There is one easy to remember number to call when a situation requires the immediate presence of a Firefighter, Paramedic, Police Officer, or County Lifeguard: 9-1-1. Please remember, 9-1-1 is an emergency number only, if you have non-emergency business to conduct, please call one of these numbers:

What To Expect when you call to report a Fire Department type of emergency:

• No coin is required when using a payphone
• Cellular telephone callers will reach the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The CHP operator will ask you for the type of emergency that you are reporting, and its location. Your call will then be transferred to the local fire department --- do not hang up!
• Callers using an ordinary telephone will reach a 9-1-1 operator, and will be asked for the type of emergency being reporting
• If calling to report a fire, medical, hazardous materials, or other Fire Department type of call, the caller will be transferred to the Fire Department dispatcher
• The Fire Department dispatcher will ask for the location and type of emergency being reported, as well as the caller's telephone number --- Do Not Hang Up!
• In order to send the correct type of equipment and personnel to handle the emergency, it may be necessary to ask further questions
• Depending on the type of situation being reported to your fire department, the dispatcher may have helpful instructions to give to the caller in order to help until emergency forces arrive

PLEASE REMEMBER: 9-1-1 is an emergency number and should not be used for non-emergency purposes. Abuse of 9-1-1 may delay someone else's access to emergency assistance.

This page was last modified on 01/22/2008