What You Will Need to Answer When You Call 911

WHERE is the ADDRESS of the EMERGENCY?

What Township, City, or Borough are you in? There is a difference between your mailing address and your 911 ad­dress.

For Example:
Dutch Wonderland’s mailing address is:
2249 Lincoln Hwy East
Lancaster, PA 17603

The 911 address is:
2249 Lincoln Hwy East
East Lampeter Twp

Write down your information, along with your phone number, and place it somewhere where it can be found eas­ily and quickly for someone who may not be familiar with the exact location such as a babysitter.

If at all possible, use a landline in­stead of a cell phone. When calling from a landline the address information will automatically come up on our screen where a cell phone location could be off by 2 or 3 houses.

WHAT is the Emergency?

Trained staff will determine the “nature” of the call. We have certain ques­tions we must ask based on the nature of the call and a certain order they must be asked in. For example, if you are calling about a medical emergency we will need to ask you a series of questions and provide instructions before the help arrives. For police related calls we will need informa­tion such as descriptions of vehicles, sub­jects, the direction of travel. Also, for the safety of emergency personnel responding it may be asked if drugs or weapons are involved.

Please let dispatchers take the lead on asking questions as this saves time and prevents questions from being repeated that may have already been answered.
WHO is involved?
If at all possible please provide us with the names of the people involved and their descriptions.

TEXT to 911 is now available: All cell phone carriers now support text to 911. It is still best to call whenever possible but if you need to communicate quietly or si­lently this is an option. Keep in mind though, when texting your cell phone will not plot on our maps. Let us know your location in the first message, if possible.

WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL 911?

Ask this question. “Is this happening RIGHT NOW?” Here are some examples:

  • Any SMOKE is seen from a structure, vehicle, woods, etc.
  • Any MEDICAL Problem.
  • A VEHICLE ACCIDENT possibly in­volving injury
  • Anything that appears SUSPICIOUS, UNFAMILIAR, or OUT OF PLACE
  • SOMEONE is BREAKING into a HOUSE or CAR
  • All FIGHTS including Family FIGHTS
  • LOST or FOUND Children, Elderly, Adults, or People who are mentally challenged or disabled
  • An ANIMAL ATTACK

WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL NON-EMERGENCY?

  • Smashed Mail Boxes
  • Loud Music
  • Ducks in a storm drain
  • Parking Complaints
  • Lost Pets