|
Emergency 9-1-1 service was
first implemented in the City of Los Angeles on October
1, 1984.
|
Using 911 in Los Angeles County
The 911 emergency telephone system is
in place to assist citizens with POLICE, MEDICAL or FIRE
emergencies. It should be realized that non-emergency calls to the 911 system
can create delays in handling other very serious emergencies that require
immediate attention. The following are guidelines for the proper use of the 911
system for FIRE and MEDICAL emergencies.
|
DO NOT CALL 911 FOR
NON-EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION.
Instead, use taxi cabs or call a
PRIVATE AMBULANCE listed under AMBULANCE in your local telephone
directory.
Examples of NON-EMERGENCY
situations are:
- MINOR illness or injury not
requiring immediate help:
- Flu/common cold
- Chronic (ongoing) aches and
pain
- Minor cuts
- Broken fingers or toes
- EMOTIONAL UPSETS
- ROUTINE TRANSPORTATION to
medical offices, clinics and hospitals
Remember, these are general
guidelines - If there is any doubt, do not hesitate to call the
paramedics. |
CALL 911 FOR A LIFE-THREATENING
EMERGENCY SUCH AS:
- Breathing difficulty/shortness of
breath/ breathing has stopped.
- Choking (can't talk or breathe).
- Constant chest pain - in adults
(lasting longer than two minutes).
- Uncontrollable bleeding / large
blood loss.
- Drowning.
- Electrocution.
- Drug overdose /poisoning.
- Gunshot wounds, stabbings.
- Vomiting blood.
- Sudden fainting /unconsciousness
- Convulsions / seizures (uncontrolled
jerking, movements the patient may fall to the floor).
- Severe allergic reaction (difficulty
breathing / unresponsive)
- Major burns (white or charred skin:
blisters and redness over large area).
- Someone who will not wake up, even
when you shake them.
- SEVERE injuries from:
- Traffic accidents
- Head Injury
- Significant falls
- Physical entrapment (i.e. car
accident with victim trapped in the vehicle)
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CALL FOR
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ON 911?
911 should only be used when a true
emergency exists, "POLICE", "FIRE", or "MEDICAL".
Identify your call as a MEDICAL or FIRE emergency and it will be automatically
transferred to the Los Angeles City Fire Department Dispatch Center . The
dispatcher will ELECTRONICALLY RECEIVE the address and telephone number OF THE
CALLER. However, if you are calling for someone else at a different location, be
sure to make that known to the dispatcher.
CRITICAL INFORMATION THE DISPATCHER
NEEDS TO KNOW:
-
What's the
emergency? What's wrong?
-
Where is the
emergency? Give the address, include building number, apartment number,
nearest cross street. The name of the building is also helpful.
-
Who needs help?
Age/ number of people.
-
Are they conscious?
Yes or no.
-
Are they breathing?
Yes or no.
The accuracy of all telephone numbers
and addresses must be verified again by the dispatcher.
|
Note: wait for the
fire department to hang up before you do. |
Remain calm and give direct answers to
the questions asked. Speak slowly and clearly. You will be asked additional
questions so the dispatcher can send the right type of help. All questions are
important.
The dispatcher may also provide you
with CRITICAL PRE-ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS, such as CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary
Resuscitation) or the Heimlich Maneuver.
Understanding what happens when a 911
call is placed will help the system run more efficiently and will bring you the
emergency medical service you need in the shortest possible time. For additional
information on the different features of the 911 System, view the "911
System in Los Angeles".
HOW YOU CAN HELP BEFORE THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT ARRIVES:
- Assure the patient that help
is on the way.
- Keep the phone line clear
after the 911 call is made.
- Direct someone to wait out front
to meet the ambulance and lead the way.
- Wave a flashlight or turn on
flashers of a car or porch light if it's dark or visibility is poor.
- Consider having an interpreter
if the patient does not speak English.
- Secure pets, especially dogs,
in a separate area.
- Have a visible address,
easily readable from the street.
- Gather or make a list of
medications that the patient is using and give to emergency personnel.
START FIRST AID
- Apply direct pressure to the
wound if the victim is bleeding.
- Perform the
Heimlich maneuver
if a choking victim can't breathe or talk.
- Begin CPR if the victim has
no pulse and has stopped breathing.
Above material adapted from the Los
Angeles Police Department.
|
