What to Know

What to Know About Making the Call

The purpose of 9-1-1 is to provide the public with a local access point to request immediate assistance from police, fire and rescue personnel for any in-progress situation that could potentially result in danger to someone’s life and/or property.

Brown County Public Safety Communications telecommunicators will ask all individuals calling 9-1-1 a series of questions based on the type of incident they are reporting. Telecommunicators are trained to follow department policy and procedure and ask various questions to obtain the best information possible, for the safety of both the public and the response personnel entering the emergency situation. Cooperation from callers is a vital part of establishing effective public safety communications.

Brown County 9-1-1, where is your emergency?

When calling 9-1-1, you can expect to be asked the following questions, including your name and phone number, but the first question will always be, “Where is your emergency?”

Where

Where is your emergency? The exact address is our center’s first required question; then, if the line is disconnected, the operator is able to make further contact and officers can respond to investigate what is happening. 

What

What is going on? Do you need police, fire or rescue?

Who

Who is involved? Any suspect or vehicle information is pertinent if it is related to an alleged crime.

When

Is it happening right now? We need to determine the severity and priority to dispatch the call.

Weapons

If related to a disturbance, the telecommunicator will want to know if there are any weapons involved or if the suspect has a prior history of using weapons.

Why

Do you know why this is happening (if applicable)?

Physical Description Checklist

  • Sex
  • Race
  • Approximate Age
  • Hair Color
  • Eye Color
  • Glasses
  • Facial Hair
  • Complexion
  • Speech Impediment or Accent
  • Scars, Marks or Tattoos
  • Clothing Description
  • Direction of travel (if the suspect takes off on foot)

Vehicle Description Checklist

  • Color
  • Year
  • Make
  • Body Style
  • License Plate Number
  • State
  • Dents/Marks
  • Distinguishing Features (i.e., truck cap, luggage rack, spoiler, etc.)
  • Direction of travel (if the suspect takes off in a vehicle)

Remember…

  • Remain Calm
  • Stay Safe
  • Let the Telecommunicator Ask Questions
  • If It Is Safe For You, Do Not Hang Up Until Instructed To Do So
  • Follow Directions Given By the Telecommunicator

Download Our Brochure

Please download our “911 – What to Know About Making the Call” informational brochure. Get it here.