When to Call 911

When You Should Dial 911

• To report an in-progress crime when life and/or property are in jeopardy
• To report a fire
• To save a life

Our 911 system is an enhanced system. Enhanced means if you are calling from a wire line phone, the 911 system displays the caller’s (home/business) name, address, and the phone number they are calling from. The dispatcher will request you give your address and phone number to verify it matches the displayed information.

You can dial 911 from any coin phone for free.

If you call from a wireless phone, the screen will show the caller’s phone number and tower site the call is "hitting" off of. The dispatcher will rebid the call to get a better location. Depending upon many variables (urban vs. rural and number of tower sites to "ping" off of), we will get a location within 10-30 meters on average. For some rural areas, it could be up to a 5-mile radius. You will need to give the dispatcher your name, verify your phone number, and relay the location of the emergency or the location of where the police are needed. The dispatcher will verify the address to assure the information is correct.

911 Do’s

Do call 911 for "in progress" emergencies.

An emergency is:

• A serious medical problem (chest pain, breathing difficulty, unconscious/fainting person, serious bleeding)
• A fire (building, vehicle, grass)
• Any in progress crime when life and/or property is in jeopardy (breaking and entering, assaults, carjacking, leaking tanker trucks, car crashes with injury, or you should call 911 if you are unable to determine injury, etc.)

For non-emergencies, call 937-372-9901. Non-emergency calls include:

• Calls to report crimes that are not in progress (theft reports, break-ins to vehicles)
• Barking dogs
• Loud music
• Vandalism
• Parking complaints
• Non-injury crashes
• After business hours utility problems

911 Don’ts

• Don’t program 911 into your speed dial. You won’t forget the number but preloading 91- invites accidental dialing.
• Don’t hang up if you accidentally dial 911. Remain on the line and tell the operator it is a misdial. If you hang up, it requires the dispatcher to call you back and initiate a 2-car police response. This is an unnecessary waste of emergency resources.

911 Tips

• When the dispatcher answers your call, allow him/her to ask his/her questions. All dispatchers are trained and have scripted protocols to follow. By allowing them to ask questions, they are able to get the most appropriate field responders to you in the most appropriate manner.
• Remember the dispatcher needs to find out exactly what is going on now.
• Remain calm and speak clearly. This enables the dispatcher to do his/her job more effectively.