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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.).

K5GU wrote: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.