What to Do if You Have an Emergency

America's 911 system handles nearly 240 million calls per year, and the growing number of dispatch disasters can be a matter of life or death.

If you are in a life-threatening situation, there are several things you can do to assist emergency response personnel. The following is the 911 protocol:

• Stay calm 
• Know your location 
• Answer the operator's questions 
• Do not hang up 
• Disclose what the threats are " if there are weapons, drugs, alcohol, etc.

Below are examples of emergency situations that would warrant a call to 911:

• Immediate threat to person or property
• Serious injury or medical problem 
• Fight in progress
• Break in 
• Person screaming for help

If you have young children, they need to learn about 911 as early as possible. Teach them how to dial those three digits, to give the exact address and telephone number in the event of an emergency and to not hang up.