I had to call 911 for the first time in my life the other day. It was for something that happend on the highway (not with me). When I called I guess I automatically assumed that the man said "911 whats your emergency" so I started to say what was going on...... he interupted me and said Ma'am do you need the Police, fire truck, or do you have an emergency? I told him the police but it was an emergency too (this little chat lasted close to a minute), then he said "hold on I will transfer you" so after about 10 second I was transfered to the police dept.
My question is, is this normal procedures when you call? It really seemed like they wasted a lot of time.
2007-10-31 07:30:08 · 10 answers · asked by Rina 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
ya but if it wasnt an emergency I would have called my local police not 911
2007-10-31 07:33:45 · update #1
The procedures are probably different from place to place. However, I can see that routing you to the proper place would be needed. They need to know what is going on before they can do anything for you. They also need to take control of the conversation. It is important so that they can keep the person giving them important details or be able to give the person information.
2007-10-31 07:34:13 · answer #1 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A LOT of people call 911 for non-emergencies. It's the number that first springs to mind when they see something wrong somewhere.
I've never dialed it, so I don't know what's normal.
Oh, wait, yes I did for a fire. The first thing out of her mouth was "Is this about the fire at the creek?"
At which I said yes, and got off the line, as they already knew about it.
That seemed the most efficient thing that could have happened.
It may be that you weren't telling the story in the most efficient way. But that he wanted to route you to the proper service seemed reasonable.
It's hard to say, since we don't know what you said.
Or maybe the operator wasn't one of their best.
2007-10-31 07:54:34 · answer #2 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is normal for them to ask these questions. You will not believe the people that call 911 when it is not an emergency - they will call 911 when they have a complaint about a neighbor - happened to me.... my neighbor called the cops on me (using 911) because I dug out my car, and put snow on his sidewalk - in our town the sidewalk only needs to be cleared enough for a path, not the whole thing, and he called 911 for that....pretty bad......lol - by the way, the cops just told him, if he doesn't like the snow - he can remove it......that is what our cops do in our town.....lol
2007-10-31 07:40:26 · answer #3 · answered by chris91068 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've called 911 only once and had a similar experience. My boyfriend was having a medical emergency, and it seemed like they wasted a LOT of time!
2007-10-31 10:40:37 · answer #4 · answered by janine o 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think like most things in life a little more information on the front end provides a better result
Sending an ambulance to a car accident where it is not needed makes it unavailable to go where it actually may need to be
My guess is the minute spent was well worth it
2007-10-31 07:37:54 · answer #5 · answered by roadrunner426440 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
911 is a Joke
Hit me
Going, going, gone
Now I dialed 911 a long time ago
Don't you see how late they're reactin'
They only come and they come when they wanna
So get the morgue embalm the goner
They don't care 'cause they stay paid anyway
They teach ya like an ace they can't be betrayed
I know you stumble with no use people
If your life is on the line they you're dead today
Late comings with the late comin' stretcher
That's a body bag in disguise y'all betcha
I call 'em body snatchers quick they come to fetch ya?
With an autopsy ambulance just to dissect ya
They are the kings 'cause they swing amputation
Lose your arms, your legs to them it's compilation
I can prove it to you watch the rotation
It all adds up to a funky situation
So get up get, get get down
911 is a joke in yo town
Get up, get, get, get down
Late 911 wears the late crown
911 is a joke
Everyday they don't never come correct
You can ask my man right here with the broken neck
He's a witness to the job never bein' done
He would've been in full in 8 9-11
Was a joke 'cause they always jokin'
They the token to your life when it's croakin'
They need to be in a pawn shop on a
911 is a joke we don't want 'em
I call a cab 'cause a cab will come quicker
The doctors huddle up and call a flea flicker
The reason that I say that 'cause they
Flick you off like fleas
They be laughin' at ya while you're crawlin' on your knees
And to the strength so go the length
Thinkin' you are first when you really are tenth
You better wake up and smell the real flavor
Cause 911 is a fake life saver
So get up, get, get get down
911 is a joke in yo town
Get up, get, get, get down
Late 911 wears the late crown
Ow, ow 911 is a joke
2007-10-31 07:36:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
every area is run locally, so they are all different
in my city its one integrated system and they do go 911 whats you emergency
but you go out into the boon docks and they have crappy systems that forward you to empty police stations or volunteer fire stations on poker nite
you get the idea, it definitely depends where you are
2007-10-31 07:43:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It seems to me the response time is faster when calling your local dispatch center direct instead of 911.
2007-10-31 07:38:33 · answer #8 · answered by Blue Oyster Kel 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It is normal, they are trying to determine what service is best for you.
2007-10-31 07:32:46 · answer #9 · answered by sahel578 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you should have called Dial-A-Prayer
2007-10-31 07:37:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋