Home   I   Search   I   A - Z Index   I   Contact Us

L.A. Maps Online

Click on Map Above

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.

Don't assume the 911 center that answers your cell call will be the agency closest to you. This is especially
true when calling from a cell phone. Triangulation (pinpointing a cell call by the nearest local cell tower) is relatively
new and only a few locales have this technology in place. Therefore, most emergency calls from cell phones are routed
to a central communications center. There, the nature and location of the incident is ascertained and the 911 caller is
either transferred to the appropriate agency or the gathered data is disseminated to the agency needing to respond.
When you dial 911 from a cell phone, don't blurt out a street address and then expect the 911 operator to
know which town or city you are in. Chances are they cover a wide area and will need to know your exact location.
They will then transfer you to the communications center best suited to help you.

The following are guidelines for the proper use of the 911 system for FIRE and MEDICAL emergencies.

• 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)

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 appropriate 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.

1. What's the emergency? What's wrong?

2. Where is the emergency? Give the address, include building number, apartment number, nearest cross street.
   The name of the building is also helpful.

3. Who needs help? Age/ number of people.

4. Are they conscious? Yes or no.

5. Are they breathing? Yes or no.

The accuracy of all telephone numbers and addresses must be verified again by the dispatcher.

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, even if repetitive.

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.

• 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.

1. Apply direct pressure to the wound if the victim is bleeding.
2. Perform the Heimlich maneuver if a choking victim can't breathe or talk.
3. Begin CPR if the victim has no pulse and has stopped breathing.

Above material adapted from the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Copyright © 1998-2013 by Given Place Media, All Rights Reserved.
All original text, photos, and graphics in the Los Angeles Almanac web site are copyrighted
and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
We make no copyright claim, however, to statistical data featured in this web site.
Get permission to use content contained within this website.