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'WHY DOES THE 911 OPERATOR ASK SO MANY QUESTIONS? IF I CALL WITH AN
EMERGENCY,
TIME IS CRUCIAL. ISN’T THE OPERATOR WASTING TIME BY ASKING FOR SO MUCH
INFORMATION?
911 operators are trained to ask specific questions to determine
the most appropriate response by public safety officers. Normally your call is
taken by a call-taker who enters the information you give them into a computer
system. That information is then automatically sent to the dispatcher who usually
dispatches help to you before you ever hang-up with the operator.
WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME AND I CAN’T SPEAK? HOW CAN 911 HELP ME?
When you dial 911 from a traditional telephone, one that is wired into a house
or other building, the location from which you are calling is displayed on a
computer screen in front of the 911 operators. If you cannot speak, you are ill,
or are being kept from talking by an intruder, leave the telephone off the hook.
Any noise that we can hear will help us determine the most appropriate response.
In cases of domestic violence, the victim often leaves the telephone off the
hook and the call-taker is able to determine the nature of the situation quickly
and send the appropriate law enforcement response.
I HAVE A HEARING IMPAIRMENT AND CANNOT COMMUNICATE OVER A REGULAR TELEPHONE
LINE.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I NEED HELP IN AN EMERGENCY?
Gwinnett County 911
operators are trained in the use of a TDD/TTY. It is not necessary to dial a
separate number for TTD/TTY calls or to place these calls through a relay service.
If you need help, simply dial 911. The telephone system will recognize a TTD/TTY
call and your call will be handled as quickly and efficiently as calls placed
by non-impaired callers.
CAN I CALL 911 FROM MY CELLULAR? Yes. Keep in mind that wireless calls
sometimes present special problems for 911 centers and callers. Calls from wireless
phones are answered by the 911 center closest to the cellular tower that the
call is routed through. For example, a call placed to 911 from Gwinnett County
might be answered by Dekalb County because the cell tower that the caller is
closest to is actually in Dekalb County. Be aware of this possibility when placing
cellular 911 calls. Your call may take a few extra minutes to be routed to the
corrected agency.
Something else to remember about wireless 911 calls is that your location
is not automatically displayed like it is from calls placed by traditional
phones.
Cellular technology does not yet provide for your location to be pinpointed
by the 911 systems. If you are not familiar with your exact location, it
is crucial
that you give as much information about your surroundings as possible
If you have access to a traditional telephone in an emergency, use it. Although
wireless telephone providers, the FCC, and 9-1-1 organizations are working
together, we are still a few years away from making cellular 911 as effective
as traditional 911 services.
WHY AM I CHARGED A 911 SUBSCRIBER FEE ON MY TELEPHONE BILL?
911 subscriber
fees support the entire operation of your 911 systems, from salaries to training
and equipment. Without the 911-subscriber fee, we could not continue to provide
911 services.
HOW DO I BECOME A 911 DISPATCHER?
You must be prepared for this exciting,
challenging, and stress-filled career. The minimum qualifications are the
ability to pass
a criminal background check, physical examination, and drug screening. Have
a high school diploma or its equivalent, the ability to type on a computer
keyboard,
the ability to hear within the required range, and the ability to speak the
English language clearly. All employees are required to be available to work
any shift
(7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.),
weekends and holidays.
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