Fire / EMS

Calling For Help In Charlotte County

In an Emergency - Dial 911

Information The Dispatcher Needs to Know:

• Type of emergency.
• Where the emergency is located, including nearest cross street.
• Your name and phone number.
• If you are a "Red Dot" Participant.

To Assist Emergency Responders:

• Keep the telephone line clear after the 9-1-1 call is made.
• Make sure your house or apartment number is in clear view from the street
• Secure your pets, especially all dogs.
• Any obstacles in front of entrance doors hinder stretcher and/or hose lines.
• If possible, move vehicles from in front of entrance doorways to aid access.
• If calling from a Cell Phone without using the GPS feature, caller location can not be determined.

On Fire Incidents:  Give important information to the first arriving emergency unit.  For example:

• Is anyone still inside the structure?  (This includes pets.)
• Where is the fire located within the structure?
• Where are utilities located, such as electrical panels and gas valves?
• Include any information on peculiar aspects of the structure.

On Medical Incidents:

• Have all pertinent information available to the arriving paramedics such as, a list of all medications, medical history and doctors name.
• If possible, have all medications in a bag in case they need to be taken to the hospital with the patient.
• Family members can only ride to the hospital in the front of the rescue vehicle after signing a liability waiver.  This can only be allowed in non-emergency transports. The officer or paramedic in charge may disallow this for any reason if it is deemed in the patient's best interest.
• When following a rescue to the hospital please do not follow at the same pace or close behind the emergency vehicle.  Many vehicles do not give the right of way to the rescue causing the unit to make sudden stops.
• The paramedic may speak loudly so that co-workers can also hear, or he may respond in an abrupt manner.  Please do not misunderstand these actions to be rude or uncaring.  There will be situations where the information that you provide needs to be short and basic so that rapid treatment can be given.

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