What does a 911 operator ask?

Remember these questions: Where, What, Who, When, Why? When calling 9-1-1 for assistance, these are questions the dispatcher will ask you.

What is the first question a 911 operator asks?

What's the emergency? What's wrong? Where is the emergency? Give the address, include building number, apartment number, nearest cross street.

What do they ask when you call 911?

When you call 911, be prepared to answer the call-taker's questions, which may include: The location of the emergency, including the street address, and room/apartment number, if you're in a large building. The phone number you are calling from. The nature of the emergency.

Why do 911 dispatchers ask so many questions?

This allows them to help make educated decisions about how they respond to the call and what equipment they take with them. We also need to know if you're going to be at, or near, the scene when we arrive because the police may need to talk to you, or you may need to point out the exact location.

How do I prepare for a 911 dispatcher interview?

From Call to Assistance, How 911 Dispatch System Works

Is the 911 operator test hard?

The Dispatcher test is considered a hard exam since it simulates the challenging tasks of actual 911 dispatchers. Also, since most candidates take the exam without any prior dispatch experience, they're often overwhelmed by its unique sections, such as multitasking, call summarization, and more.

What are 3 questions you should be prepared to answer when calling 911?

What are 4 things you should do when calling 911?

Why do 911 dispatchers ask for your name?

Do I have to give my name? The call-taker is always required to ask the caller's name and phone number. This is in case we have to call you back, or the responders need to talk to someone who actually saw what happened.

How many words per minute do you need to be a 911 operator?

Many 911 operator positions require candidates to achieve approximately 40 - 45 words per minute on a typing test with very high accuracy. You can practice for your typing test for free. To prepare, you will want to practice typing for at least 5 minutes.

What do 911 operators say on the phone?

When you call 911, a call-taker will answer the phone and say "911" or "911, what's your emergency?". Ideally, you should tell the call-taker what the emergency is, for example: "My house is on fire!" "There's someone breaking into my home!"

What questions do emergency services ask?

What are most 911 calls about?

A 911 call might be about a noisy neighbor, a trespassing concern, or from someone experiencing a mental health crisis. As the nation's helpline, 911 is typically the only resource that's readily available to people seeking any kind of timely assistance.

What are 5 important things to know about calling 911?

Is being a 911 operator easy?

A career as a 911 dispatcher is fast-paced, hectic, and above all else, rewarding. As a part of a chain of emergency responders, dispatchers are the face—or the ear—of emergency calls to 911. It takes a remarkable person to do a dispatcher's work, and it is not suited to everyone.

What happens if you hang up on 911?

All 9-1-1 hang-ups from landlines shall be called back by a call taker. The call taker will attempt to contact the caller once, if necessary, and determine the nature of the incident and an accurate location for the appropriate public safety response.

What should you not call 911?

Do not call 911 for information, minor illness or injury, for your pets, or when your power is out. Whenever a 911 operator has to deal with non-emergency calls, it could cause a life-threatening delay in getting emergency assistance to someone who really needs it.

What should you not do when you call 911?

If you dialed 911 in error, do not hang up the telephone. Instead, stay on the line and explain to the dispatcher that you dialed by mistake and that you do not have an emergency. If you hang up, a dispatcher will call back to confirm that there is no emergency.

How do you thank a 911 dispatcher?

Can you call 911 and not say anything?

The 911 Call Taker will ask, “Are you able to speak freely”? If the caller answers “No”, then the call is treated as an emergency. If there is still no answer, the 911 Call Taker will determine if the caller is a registered T911 user.

Is it OK to call 911 and ask questions?

This needlessly burdens the 911 system with non-emergency calls and prevents call takers from answering true emergency calls. Do not call 911 to ask for directions, obtain a phone number of another County agency, or to contact a police officer, Sheriff's deputy or fire fighter.

Can you text 911 if you can't talk?

You should always call 911 if you can and text 911 only if you can't. Text-to-911 is beneficial to the Deaf, people with hearing loss or speech disabilities, and those who can't safely call 911. Text-to-911 is free, works through short message service (SMS) with cellular carriers, and requires a text or data plan.

What are three things an emergency response operator will ask you?

An operator will ask you if you need Police, Fire or Ambulance. Say "Fire". If you are calling using a mobile or satellite phone the operator will ask you for other location information. You will then be connected to an emergency service operator, who will take details of the situation.

What is the first question an emergency call handler will ask the caller?

An emergency call handler will then take the call and will ask you questions so that help can be arranged. The first thing they will ask you is if the patient is breathing and awake. They will then ask what telephone number you are calling from, the address of where the emergency is and the reason for the call.

How long is the typing test for 911 dispatcher?

Free 911 Operator Typing Test

Be prepared that the real test will likely be around five minutes. Click the refresh button in your browser to restart the test with a new passage each time.