9-1-1 FAQS

While 9-1-1 is primarily for emergencies, it is not limited to life-threatening situations only. Our community needs to understand the realm of 9-1-1, our services as a public safety answering point (PSAP), and how best to reach us depending on whether this is an emergency and/or non-emergency.

9-1-1, what's the address of the emergency?

What is 9-1-1?

9-1-1 is the number most people in the U.S. and some in International countries call for help in a police, fire, or medical emergency. A 9-1-1 call goes over dedicated networks to the appropriate 9-1-1 answering point (PSAP) for the caller's location, and trained personnel then send the emergency help needed.

On February 16th,1968, the Haleyville, Alabama police station received an unusual call. Unlike any other day, the caller wasn't experiencing an emergency. Instead, Alabama Speaker of the House Rankin Fite dialed 9-1-1—a groundbreaking three-digit number that was about to make history locally and nationwide.

The phone that made the first ever 9-1-1 call! Photo Credit: al.com

Okay, tell me exactly what happened.

When Should I call 911?

Our telecommunicators are dedicated to handling emergencies and ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. Understanding when it is appropriate to use this service is crucial for efficient response and resource allocation. Here are some key examples of when to call 9-1-1:

Assault/Fight

Burglary

Domestic Violence

Hazardous Chemical Spills

Intoxicated Drivers

Life Threatening Situations

Medical Problems

Reckless Drivers

Robbery

Smoke Detector, Carbon Monoxide Alarms, Other Alarms Sounding

Structure Fires

Suicidal Thoughts

Suspicious Activity

Unsure When to Call, Call 9-1-1

Vehicle Accidents

Wildfires

When Not to Call 9-1-1: Save 9-1-1 for True Emergencies

The 9-1-1 system is a crucial service designed to help individuals in urgent and life-threatening situations. Using it appropriately ensures that emergency responders can attend to those who need immediate assistance. Here are some key examples of when not to call 9-1-1:

Abandoned Vehicles

Asking for Directions

Calling for Information

Injured or Lost Pets

Parking Complaints

Prank Calls

Questions about Tickets, Warrants, or Court

Suffering from Boredom

What happens if I accidentally dial 9-1-1 by mistake?

If you dial 9-1-1 by mistake, or if a child in your home dials 9-1-1 when no emergency exists, do not hang up – that could make 9-1-1 officials think that an emergency exists, and possibly send responders to your location. Instead, stay on the line and explain to the call-taker what happened.

WCC Dispatcher Katie Baneck Talks About Accidental Dials

Additional FAQ's

Why do you need my address?

If you have ever called 9-1-1 before, you most likely were greeted with, "9-1-1, what is the address of the emergency? Cell phones provide great information for our dispatchers, such as the telephone number and location. However, it is only an approximate location of the call and sometimes that isn't the approximate location of the emergency. Maybe you were driving by and saw an accident a mile back or maybe you just left the store where you thought an emergency was happening.

Whatever the case may be, it is our policy to verify the location of every emergency call to ensure help is being sent to the correct location. If you do not know the address, look for landmarks, street signs, or nearby businesses.

Are all 9-1-1 calls in Waukesha County answered by WCC?

Any time you use your cell phone in the county, your call will be answered by call-takers at WCC. Those calls are either processed in their entirety by our staff if the incident is occurring in a jurisdiction that WCC dispatches for, or transferred to the responsible agency. If you have a landline telephone and you call 9-1-1, you may reach our center if you are part of the municipalities that we dispatch for, otherwise, your 9-1-1 call will go directly into one of the remaining four PSAPs in the county:

City of Waukesha Dispatch

Elm Grove Dispatch

Muskego Dispatch

Mukwonago Dispatch (police only)

Can the 9-1-1 PSAP communicate with the speech and/or hearing impaired?

All workstations at WCC are equipped with a Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) that allows typed (text) communication with people who are hearing and/or speech impaired.

What if the 9-1-1 caller doesn't speak English?

Our center has access to a Language Line Service that provides 24/7 over-the-phone interpretation of over 175 different languages. The process of getting an interpreter on the line with the caller usually takes less than one minute.