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K5GU

4LOKO wrote:If I have the free time to talk to the dispatcher for more than 20-30 seconds, it doesn't sound like much of an emergency.

There's a lot of good discussion in this thread. Some people have obviously given it a lot of thought and have a plan that suits their situation. However, sometimes they overlook the simple fact their plan may not be best for every situation. "One Size Fits All" isn't true for clothing and even less for self defense. It's good to think about and discuss questions like this even though there's no "One True Answer" to the questions.

Good points. It's VERY important to think about the possible scenarios and what you can do to be prepared.

K5GU

WildBill wrote:
K5GU wrote:
Pawpaw wrote:You have just shot someone and they may or may not be dead or dying.

Somehow I doubt calling the non-emergency number would go over well.
Let's hope we never have to find out. But be prepared to spend several minutes on the phone with the 9-1-1 call screener. They must ask several things before setting the call priority. Some potential problems are, if you are not willing to answer all the questions might result in a lower priority (longer wait time). According to some stats I've read, the average prank 9-1-1 calls runs pretty high, depending on time of day, locality, etc. So that's one thing the screener must do is determine if you really have a life-threatening situation, and so on. Also, the 9-1-1 conversation is recorded, which will be used in litigation if you are arrested. The non-emergency number will usually allow you to talk to a police officer instead of a dispatcher/screener. Keep in mind that this same scenario will play out whether it's a shooting or not (ie, stabbing, fist fight, etc.).
Since the 911 calls are recorded you can state all of the relevant information and hang up when you are finished. If you can not safely stay on the phone they will still have the location and the nature of the emergency.

Yes, and if you do it that way and you're on a cell phone or VOIP phone, make sure you give them your address. Not all phones report that info. to 9-1-1 call systems.

K5GU

Pawpaw wrote:You have just shot someone and they may or may not be dead or dying.

Somehow I doubt calling the non-emergency number would go over well.

I'm not sure what you mean by ..doubt calling the non-emergency number would go over well.. I guess it would be a matter of why you called them. If I feel like I might be killed or seriously injured by an attacker and I defend myself the way I was trained, there's a high probability the attacker would be dead, not dying. Like I always say, I hope and pray we never have to find out that way.

K5GU

Pawpaw wrote:You have just shot someone and they may or may not be dead or dying.

Somehow I doubt calling the non-emergency number would go over well.

Let's hope we never have to find out. But be prepared to spend several minutes on the phone with the 9-1-1 call screener. They must ask several things before setting the call priority. Some potential problems are, if you are not willing to answer all the questions might result in a lower priority (longer wait time). According to some stats I've read, the average prank 9-1-1 calls runs pretty high, depending on time of day, locality, etc. So that's one thing the screener must do is determine if you really have a life-threatening situation, and so on. Also, the 9-1-1 conversation is recorded, which will be used in litigation if you are arrested. The non-emergency number will usually allow you to talk to a police officer instead of a dispatcher/screener. Keep in mind that this same scenario will play out whether it's a shooting or not (ie, stabbing, fist fight, etc.).

K5GU

I suppose it also depends on your location, matter of jurisdictions, etc. According to Fort Worth, Tx PD Code Blue, and their web site, they have suggestions on when to call 9-1-1 or non-emergency. Of course I feel like it's up to you and if you feel like you have an 'emergency' or not. It is true the 9-1-1 is a speedy way to get them on the phone. http://fortworthwestcops.com/call_guide.htm

K5GU

This will probably trigger some debate (a good thing!), but there is an alternative to 9-1-1 if you need PD, FD or EMT, and to avoid the Q&A session with the 9-1-1 office. For example, in a home invasion scenario in Fort Worth, I would probably only call 9-1-1, if possible, as soon as a threat was imminent or in progress before I attempted to eliminate the threat if time permitted. If not possible, then I would attempt to eliminate the threat and then call the non-emergency number (after threat elimination, the emergency may have passed). It's also a good idea to know and work with your NPO's assigned to your area. It's highly likely that the officer dispatched to your address will be one of your NPO's.

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