Know what an emergency is
An emergency is a situation that requires the police, firefighters, or an ambulance.
Familiarize yourself with what happens after you connect with 911
A call-taker working at one of Vermont’s Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) will answer your call. It is the call-taker’s job to help you. They will ask questions to find out where you are and to learn more about the emergency you’re reporting. It is important for you to stay on the line, listen carefully to the call-taker, and answer their questions. The call-taker can send help even when they are still talking to you on the phone.
Memorize important information
Learn your address, phone number, and the full names of important people in your life. The 911 call-taker may ask you for this information. Knowing the important information about who you are and where you live can help the emergency responders get to you more quickly.
Try to remain calm
When you call 911, the call-taker will rely on you for information about the emergency. Try to stay calm and answer all of the questions. Help will arrive as soon as possible.
Don’t hang up the phone
If you call 911, whether on purpose or by accident, do not hang up until you have spoken to a 911 operator and confirmed the need for emergency services. If you are unable to talk, answer the text message that 911 sends to confirm your safety. Calling by accident is not going to get you into trouble.
Make sure your address is clearly posted
Your address should be posted on a sign that can easily be seen from the road in both directions and can be seen at night. For best results, always post it on your house, and if you have a long driveway, post it on your mailbox or at the end of the drive. You want to make sure that emergency responders will be able to identify which house is yours, quickly and easily. When you’re placing the sign, keep the different seasons in mind and make sure the sign can be seen above snowbanks and when trees are full of leaves.
Teach your family members what 911 is and when they should call
Everyone in your household should know what 911 is and that you can call for emergencies. This means if police, fire or medical services are needed, then it is okay to call 911. Ensure that each member of your household knows how they can reach 911 and what they should be prepared to say when its answered.
Understand your phones-cellular or landline
Get familiar with the security and emergency features on your phone. There are ways to call 911 on certain devices without actually using the keypad. You may also have “emergency” buttons on landline phones that will automatically dial 911. Make sure you’re familiar with how your phone works and the ways it can make an emergency call.