How do I know if my call is an emergency?
Examples of emergencies are: a crime or incident in progress, a suspicious person or vehicle,
or when there is a risk of loss of life or property. Non-emergencies include crimes or incidents not in progress, animal calls, directions,
questions about special events, and loud music calls. If you are not sure if your concern qualifies as an emergency, go ahead and
dial 911. The dispatcher will refer you to the non-emergency number if appropriate.
How can I help myself in an emergency?
Most importantly,
remain calm and work with the 911 Telecommunicator. Valuable time can be lost to panic. You may be able to provide important information
for the responders or take some important first steps to handle the situation at hand. For the speediest response possible, be prepared
to supply the Telecommunicator with the following information: type of problem, where you are, where the problem is, phone number
you may be called back at, color of the house, closest cross streets, landmarks, how many people are involved, descriptions of any
vehicles involved, and descriptions of any suspects and direction of travel.
If you are calling from a cellular phone, make note of
landmarks, mile markers on the highways, and any other information which could provide your location. When you dial 911 from a cellular
phone, it is not answered by your local Dispatch Center, but rather the State of New Hampshire's Enhanced 911 Public Safety Answering
Point in Concord NH. It is vital to be as specific as you can regarding your location especially on a cellular phone.
What happens
when I dial 911? Am I talking to my local Communications Center?
The answer is both yes and no. Your 911 call goes from your phone
to the State of New Hampshire's Enhanced 911 Public Safety Answering Point in Concord. The 911 Telecommunicator in Concord will ask
you if your emergency is for police, fire or medical response. Your call is then routed to the Dispatch Center in Rochester. Rochester
will take over the call and ask you more detailed questions to give the responding Officers a better idea of your situation.
Why does
the Communications Staff sometimes tell me to call back on the non-emergency number?
Many people use 911 to call for any complaint
or question they might have. If Dispatchers are answering non-emergency questions, true emergency 911 calls experience a delay. For
non-emergencies, call 603-330-7127, hit option 1 on the auto attendant.
