An Emergency Call
Basics on the topic An Emergency Call
Emergency Calls – Explained for Primary School
In case of an accident, fire, or any other dangerous situation, it is important to dial the emergency number.
- If you need the help of the police, an ambulance, or the help of the fire department, dial 9-1-1.
- The police can help enforce rules and maintain public safety.
- The paramedics will be sent with an ambulance, for example, if someone is injured.
- Among other things, the fire department arrives for fire, emergencies, or rescues.
If you have or see an emergency, it is important to call 9-1-1. By doing this, you help a lot. Dialing 9-1-1 is always free of charge.
→ But never dial the emergency number for fun! There are expensive fines for doing so, and you block the number for people who urgently need help.
Making an Emergency Call
Maybe you have already heard the term making an emergency call in primary school. This means dialing 9-1-1 to speak with an operator. To be able to provide information as quickly as possible in an emergency, there are five questions you can answer during the call.
Have you already discussed the emergency call and the five questions in primary school? What are the five questions for an emergency call? Do the questions need to be answered in a specific order during an emergency call? We will clarify these questions in the next section.
The Emergency Call – Five Questions Explained
During an emergency call, you may be scared or have a lot of big feelings. That's completely normal. The dispatcher, or person, on the other end of the line will ask you some questions. These questions will help you provide as much detail as possible and not leave out any important information.
The table lists the five questions you may be asked in an emergency call.
| Question word | Question | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Who? | Who is making the emergency call? | “My name is Laura Johnson.” |
| Where? | Where is the emergency? | ”I'm at the skate park by the big ramp on Main Street in Springfield.” |
| What? | What happened? | “My friend fell off his skateboard.” |
| How many? | How many people are hurt? | “Only one person, my friend, Tom, who fell. |
| What? | What are his injuries? | “He can't move his left leg.” |
The operator may or may not ask you the questions in this order. In the picture, you can see how you can easily remember the questions using your five fingers:
→ The last important thing to remember is to Wait. Wait to see what the dispatcher on the other end says or asks. So, do not hang up right away.
Emergency Calls – Summary
During an emergency call, the dispatcher will ask you questions about what happened. Thinking about the five questions ahead of time can be helpful. You can use your five fingers to remember them. Don’t forget to wait afterward! Oftentimes, the fire department and an ambulance are alerted simultaneously, as well as the police and the fire department. For example, in case of a traffic accident, the police come, and sometimes an ambulance is also called if people are injured. However, you don't have to worry about that. The dispatcher will take care of it.
Transcript An Emergency Call
Look, Laura and Tom are at the skate park today. Wow! They're pretty fast! Oh no, what happened? It looks like Tom has seriously hurt his leg! Laura will to need to make "An Emergency Call" to nine-one-one. Calling nine-one-one is very serious, so we'll need to go over what Laura has to keep in mind. We only dial nine-one-one in an emergency like an accident, when someone is seriously hurt, or in the event of a fire, immediate danger, or medical help. Remember, we only dial nine-one-one when someone's safety is at serious risk. Do not call nine-one-one when the problem is small and can be solved without any danger, like being unable to find a toy or feeling a little sick. These are not emergencies that need immediate help from firefighters, police, or paramedics. If you're unsure whether it is an emergency or not, you can ask a grown-up or someone you trust to help decide. If you call nine-one-one by accident, do not hang up. Just stay on the line to tell the dispatcher that it was a mistake, so they won't send help. But never call as a joke or a prank; this takes time and resources away from people who really need it. Plus, it could result in a serious consequence for you and the adults responsible for you. However, in the event of a real emergency, it is very important to stay calm. It's also helpful to think about the five questions a dispatcher may ask you on the call. To help, we can look at our hand, since we always have it with us. There are five-finger questions to answer! Let's start with the pinky finger: It stands for who? Who is making the emergency call? You are! So, first state your name on the phone. The next, and most important, question comes on the ring finger: where did the emergency or accident happen? Be aware of your surroundings, so you can share as much detail as possible. If you know the address, say it clearly. If you don't, describe any landmarks that are close by, like a big building, a statue, or a sign. If you are in a tall building, say which floor and apartment you are on. Next, they'll want to know: what happened? Calmly and accurately explain the cause of the emergency or accident. The pointer finger stands for how many? Like, how many people are injured or involved in the accident. And finally, they may ask: what are the injuries? Here you can describe what you see. Is someone bleeding? Is someone unconscious? Can someone no longer stand up? While you're on the phone, it is especially important to wait! Be patient and see what the dispatcher says. Now, let's help Laura call! Nine-one-one; this is Pat. How can I help you? Laura should state who is calling. This is Laura Johnson. Where are you, Laura? I'm at the skate park by the big ramp on Main Street in Springfield. What happened? My friend fell off his skateboard. How many people are hurt? Only one person, my friend, Tom, who fell. What are his injuries? He can't move his left leg. Now Laura should wait and listen to what the dispatcher has to say. . Thanks, Laura. An ambulance with paramedics is on its way. They'll be with you in a few minutes. Stay with Tom and try to keep him calm. Remember! Don't worry about forgetting something when calling nine-one-one; the dispatcher will ask all the questions and get the important details from you. Just stay calm. And Tom will definitely be able to skateboard again soon!
The five questions 911 will ask are who,what,where,when, why and how