Provide the 9-1-1 Call-taker with the following information:
When reporting a fire emergency, the Call-taker may not automatically know your location. You should be prepared to provide the following information.
- If the emergency is at a residence or business, please provide
- Street Number, Street Name, and City/Town
- If the emergency is on a highway, please provide the following:
- Street/Highway Name and direction of travel (North, South, East, or Westbound)
- Nearest intersecting Street Name
- Mile Marker, Exit Number, or Landmarks
- The telephone number you are calling from
- What is the fire emergency being reported
- Your name
The 9-1-1 Call-taker is required to ask you questions about the fire emergency. Answer all questions you are asked.
- Answering these questions will not delay a response but will make sure all appropriate agencies are notified. Some fire emergencies will require additional fire agencies, police, and/or ambulance to be dispatched.
- Answering these questions will assist the 9-1-1 Call-taker in determining if Pre-Arrival Instruction is needed. Pre-Arrival Instructions are steps that you can perform prior to the arrival of the Fire Department. The 9-1-1 Call-taker is specially trained to provide these instructions to you. These instructions may help you save someone’s life!
Here are a few of the questions the 9-1-1 Call-taker will ask you when reporting these types of fire emergencies:
Structure Fires (Home or Office):
- If a building has caught fire, have everyone evacuate the building and call 9-1-1 from a cellular, cordless, or neighbor’s telephone.
- Where in the building is the fire located?
- What is burning?
- What color the flames and smoke are?
- Is anyone injured, and what type of injuries?
- Do you know how the fire started or if there is anything unusual about the fire?
- Are there any vehicles or other buildings involved or threatened by the fire?
- Answer all questions asked by the 9-1-1 Call-taker.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms:
- What type of alarm is going off? (Smoke, Fire, or Carbon Monoxide)
- Is anyone feeling sick? Symptoms are Headaches, Dizziness, Nausea, Confusion, Sleepiness, Irritability, or drunken behavior.
- How long has the detector been sounding?
- Do you smell any odors in the building?
- Answer all other questions asked by the 9-1-1 Call-taker.
Hazardous Materials Incidents:
Have everyone evacuate the area, then call 9-1-1 from a cellular, cordless, or neighbor’s telephone.
- Do you know what the spill or leak is?
- Is the material Solid, Liquid, or Gas?
- Is anyone is injured or contaminated?
- Is anyone trapped anywhere near the spill or leak? Do not try to rescue the trapped person.
- If you can see any placards where the spill or leak is coming from?
- If there is anything on fire, what is burning?
- What is the color of smoke and fire?
- Do you smell any odors?
- Answer all other questions asked by the 9-1-1 Call-taker.
If you have additional questions or would like more information about fire emergencies, please feel free to contact the Shelburne Communications Center at (802) 985-8051 or your local Fire Department.