9-1-1 is the nationwide universal police, fire, and ambulance emergency number. 9-1-1 should be used as an easily remembered access number to report fires, medical problems, and crimes in progress. Steuben County is served by an Enhanced 9-1-1 system. The name, address and phone number of the residential telephone being used to dial 9-1-1 is displayed on a computer screen at the 9-1-1 center.
The major benefit of 9-1-1 to citizens and public safety agencies is the amount of time saved by the use of a common phone number.
You should call 9-1-1 immediately if you encounter the following situations:
- Car accident
- If you see a crime or a victim of a crime
- Fires (all fires are emergencies)
- Serious injuries, illness, poisoning, or gas leak
- Severe weather (tornado, funnel clouds)
- Someone is drowning
- Someone is choking on their food
- Anything you believe requires an emergency response
- To test your phone (however please stay on the line and let the dispatcher know that the call is only a test and not an emergency)
When not to call 9-1-1:
- Loud party or music
- Barking dogs or a cat up a tree
- To ask general directions
- To report your electricity is out
- To check for severe weather report
- To check if a police report is ready
- Other minor complaints
- When any situation being reported does not require an emergency response
What should I expect when I call 9-1-1?
- Remain calm and let us ask the questions. There is very specific information we need and sometimes we need to know it in a very specific order. Try your best to answer the questions that are posed to you.
- Be prepared to give full location information. We always have to verify what location information we receive on our mapping and computer screens with the caller.
- Be Patient. It may seem like nothing is being done to help, but in reality we are doing many things. We will be sending people to help you, assessing our resources, and asking you questions to help identify the best way to proceed. Sometimes it feels like it's taking forever for help to arrive, but we are doing our best to combine safety and speed.
- Follow Directions. We may be giving you very specific instructions about minimizing the danger to your self or helping those in need.
- Dispatcher's will stay on the line on all requests for an EMS response until the first medical unit arrives.
- Don't hang up until told to do so.
Can I call 9-1-1 if I use a TDD?
- Yes. The Steuben County Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) is equipped with TDD/TTY equipment. Communications professionals receive extensive training in handling emergency situations utilizing this equipment.
Can someone call 9-1-1 who does not speak English?
- Yes. The Steuben County Public Safety Answering Point subscribes to the Language Line, which provides access to interpreters who speak more than 140 languages. The Language Line maintains a 24-hour communications center. Even when receiving a 9-1-1 call from a non-English speaking individual, help is only minutes away.