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Emergency Services


 

911

 

 

Emergency Services 

9-1-1 Tips - When and How to Call

When should I call 9-1-1?

Call 9-1-1 immediately when you need police, fire, or emergency medical help and the situation involves an immediate threat to life, health, safety, or property.

Examples include:

  • Someone is seriously injured or experiencing a medical emergency
  • A fire, explosion, or smoke in a building
  • A crime in progress
  • A traffic crash
  • with injuries or road hazards
  • A dangerous situation where someone may be hurt

IF you are unsure whether the situation is an emergency, it is okay to call 9-1-1. Our telecommunicators will help determine the appropriate response.

For situations that are not emergency, please use the non-emergency number for your local law enforcement agency when possible.

What happens when you call 9-1-1?

When you call 9-1-1 in La Crosse County, your call is answered by a trained Public Safety Telecommunicator at the La Crosse County Emergency Services Public Safety Communications Center.

The telecommunicator will ask several questions so the correct help can be sent as quickly as possible.

The first questions are usually:

  1. “What is the address of the emergency?”
  2. “What is the emergency?”
This information allows responders to begin heading to the scene while additional details are gathered.

Your call may be transferred to another dispatcher depending on the type of emergency (police, fire, or EMS), but you will not need to repeat everything again.

Stay on the line

Once you call 9-1-1:

  • Do not hang up unless the telecommunicator tells you it is okay.
  • Additional questions help responders prepare for the situation.
  • The telecommunicator may provide instructions to help someone before responders arrive, such as CPR instructions or safety guidance.

Even if help is already on the way, the information you provide can save lives.

If you accidentally dial 9-1-1

Stay on the line and tell the telecommunicator. "This was an accidental call. There is no emergency." If you hang up, we may attempt to call you back or send responders to check on your safety.

Calling from a cell phone

Most 9-1-1 calls now come from cell phones. Keep these tips in mind:

  • Know your location (address, nearby intersection, or landmarks).
  • Cell phone location technology helps, but it may not always be exact.
  • If you are driving, pull over safely before calling if possible.

Text-to-9-1-1

La Crosse County supports Text-to-9-1-1 for situations where calling is not possible.

When texting 9-1-1:

  • Send your message to 911
  • Start with your location
  • Keep messages short and clear
  • Answer all questions from the telecommunicator

If you can safely make a voice call, calling 9-1-1 is still the fastest and best option.

Teaching children how to call 9-1-1

Children should be taught:

  • When it is appropriate to call 9-1-1
  • Their home address
  • Their phone number
  • How to explain what happened

Teaching children how to call 9-1-1 responsibly helps ensure help arrives quickly when it is needed. An excellent site with great resources for parents and educators can be found at 911 for Kids.

Help us Help You

You can help emergency responders by:

  • Posting your house numbers clearly and visibly.
  • Knowing your location when traveling.
  • Calling 9-1-1 only for emergencies.
  • Staying calm and answering questions from the dispatcher.

Our telecommunicators are here 24 hours a day 365 days a year to help the residents and visitors of La Crosse County.

Accessibility and Language

The La Crosse County 9-1-1 center provides services for:

  • Deaf or hard-of-hearing callers
  • Text-to-9-1-1 users
  • TTY/TDD communication
  • Language interpreter services

If you need language assistance, remain on the line and we will connect an interpreter to assist with the call.

 

 

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