Important Tips from a 911 Dispatcher - Part 1

Aware And Prepared

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In this podcast episode, the host, Mandi, is joined by Glenna, Dispatch Supervisor at Mandi’s local police department. The episode covers:
- When to call 911 versus the non-emergency line

- Handling suspicious situations

- Providing tips for effective communication with law enforcement

Glenna emphasizes the importance of using 911 for situations involving imminent threats to life or significant property loss. The topic of reporting harm to pets is discussed as well as the distinction between felonies and misdemeanors.

Glenna provides insights into the dispatch process and encourages callers to be proactive in saving the correct police department number in their phones. They discuss anonymous reporting and more.

The episode concludes with a role-play scenario where Mandi calls 911 to report a car accident, highlighting how a dispatcher may respond in order to gather information and ensure caller safety.

LESSONS LEARNED

Some Examples of When To Call 911 for Emergencies:

Immediate Threat to Life or Property: such as accidents with injuries, medical emergencies, fires, crimes in progress, or any incident requiring urgent response.

Crime in Progress: a crime happening or have reason to believe that a crime is in progress, such as burglary, assault, robbery, or any criminal activity requiring immediate attention.

Medical Emergencies: if someone is experiencing a life-threatening situation, severe injuries, or sudden illness requiring immediate medical attention.

Some Examples of When To Call Non-Emergency:

Noise Complaints: For issues like loud parties or disturbances with no drinking or fighting that are not an immediate threat, you can contact the non-emergency line to report the situation

Property Damage Without Immediate Danger: If your property has been damaged but there is no ongoing threat

Suspicious Activity Without Imminent Danger: If you observe suspicious behavior but there is no immediate threat, non-emergency services can be contacted to report the incident

If in doubt, it's generally better to err on the side of caution and dial 911 for immediate emergencies.

RESOURCES

WeTip.com: A resource for reporting information anonymously. It allows individuals to provide information about crimes without revealing their identity. (Note: Some limitations were discussed.)

CrimeMapping.com: This website provides some relevant information about crime incidents in specific areas. It can help individuals understand the safety of a neighborhood, school, or the timing of various activities.
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You can find your podcast host, Mandi, on Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared

Her website is WomenAwareAndPrepared.com where you can contact her or sign up for her weekly Tuesday Tip emails (at the bottom of the website) to stay safer and feel more empowered. You’ll receive a downloadable list of Mandi’s favorite 10 things to do to stay safer.

Music by Andrea Hamilton Binley at HopefulPop.com.

The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sens