Frequently Asked Questions - 911 Communications

When Should I Call?

Calling 911: Call 911 when you need direct access to police, fire and medical assistance.

In an emergency: Call 911 to report a crime in progress, a fire, a serious illness or injury or any situation requiring immediate response of the police, fire or ambulance services.

What the 911 Call Taker needs to know:

The Call Taker will ask many questions including:

• The address where help is needed
• The nature of the problem
• Your name
• Your phone number

Speak slowly and clearly.

Important: Call 911 first in all emergency situations!!!

• Do not call family members or friends.
• Do not attempt to transport a seriously ill or injured person!!!
• We can get qualified help to the victim much faster and safer than you can get the victim help!
• Stay on the phone and answer all of the questions. Do not hang up until told to do so. Help is on the way as you are speaking.

Do NOT call 911 for: road/travel information, legal advice, civil matters, telephone directory assistance, and requesting transportation. Your telephone directory has these numbers.

In a non-emergency: Call (320) 762.8151 when you have a less threatening situation which requires a non-immediate response from police, fire or ambulance such.

These include:

• Noise Complaints
• Parking Complaints
• Traffic complaints
• Animal Complaints

Don't Hang Up. It is rare to be able to hang up a phone before it reaches the 9-1-1 network. Therefore, your misdial will reach the 9-1-1 PSAP. If you realize you have accidentally called 9-1-1, please stay on the line until the 9-1-1 dispatcher answers. 9-1-1 Dispatchers are required to call back all numbers that call 9-1-1 and hang up.

You will save the dispatcher several valuable minutes by explaining that you accidentally dialed the wrong number rather than the dispatcher having to call you back to see if there's a problem.