Secrets About 911 Dispatchers That Will Make You Appreciate Their Efforts

#1 911 Centers Have Regular Callers Like A Bar

911 dispatchers provide an absolutely essential service to everyone in America. Many people don't think about the stressful situations these people find themselves in everyday. The call centers are overworked and sometimes the number of calls alone can frustrate the dispatchers. A lot of the incoming calls are not even emergencies. There are regular callers who dial 911 almost daily to get assistance with minor things that are simply taking up valuable time for those who may need help.

#2 The 911 System Used Today Was Set Up First in Alabama In 1968

In the US, the very first emergency call system was set in 1968 by the government and telephone companies working together to proved a universal number one could dial for an emergency. The first was used in Haleyville, Alabama.

#3 Most Call Are Not Even Real Emergencies

Did you know that 95% of 911 calls are non-emergencies? That's right, only 5% of the calls these dispatchers receive are legitimate emergencies. The rest are people complaining about things that have no business on a 911 phone line such as parking and traffic tickets. About 40% of the 95 are prank or drunk calls.

#4 Try Not To Butt Dial Or Have 911 As A Speed Number

The Federal Communications Commission believes that roughly half of all 911 calls are accidental butt dials. In New York City alone, around 84 million calls a year are simply the result of a pocket dial. This is what takes time away from real emergency's. They suggest you do not add 911 to your speed dial listings.

#5 Don't Dial Then Hang Up

If you hang up after dialing 911, stay on the line and explain the circumstances. Otherwise you can still be tracked, and police may think it's an emergency. If it's a prank call you may be fined.

#6 Dispatchers Are Amazing Multi-Taskers

A lot of dispatchers like to occupy the little spare time they have with crafts such as knitting, while others keep busy handling numerous calls at the same time, even providing CPR instructions while giving police a location on another line.

#7 You Can Call 911 Even If Using Your Voice Is Out Of The Question

There are many situations where the person calling 911 may not be able to talk. For example, in a kidnapping, or home intrusion case. But the dispatchers have a system for this. They use button pushes as answers to the questions they are asking.

#8 They Don’t Give A Damn Why It Happened

A lot of people, especially those who have committed a crime themselves, feel a need to keep the worker on the line by chit chatting. They really don't care about the incident they just want to dispatch emergency help as soon as possible. State the problem and answer the questions without telling a story about what led up to the emergency.

#9 911 Operators Are Trained To Determine Your Voice For Trauma

Most dispatchers are being trained to listen to the callers voices for the way they speak. Whether or not the call is for an emergency or the caller is being calm or not. Dispatchers will mentally analyze the tone of your voice and the context of your conversation. Through this analysis, they can usually determine whether you are lying or not, or if the call is of actual importance, and react accordingly.

#10 Home Based Landlines Are Better For Tracking Calls

While home phones are being phased out by cell phones, a landline is better for 911 at this time. If you have the ability, use a landline to contact 911. The location of a landline is much easier track than a cellular signal.

#11 Calls About Sick Babies Are The Worst

A dispatcher is a human, and when a frantic parent calls about a sick baby or an accident, they get upset and involved in the call easily. Their only desire is to get the needed info and dispatch emergency help. When a dispatcher can provide the needed help over the phone, it's a job well done!

#12 Dispatchers Can Get PTSD From Their Work

Hearing someone gasp for breath or scream and cry for help in an emergency situation can take it's toll on the dispatchers. A study recently found that many dispatchers will experience PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) from some of the experiences they have on the phones.

#13 All Calls To A 911 Center Are Important But They Are Responded To In Order Of The Emergency

Calls definitely have a hierarchy of importance when it comes to an 'emergency'. Calls that involve violence or injury definitely go to the top. If it is property disturbance or minor auto accident, you will most likely be pushed to the back of the order, and should probably just call the police department anyway, as the 911 center is not for ordinary police calls.

#14 911 Dispatchers Are Actual Heroes, Saving Lives Every Day

Constantly dealing with people's intense problems is not something I'm sure most of us could ever do. This is why these people deserve way more respect than they are given. You should definitely keep these 911 dispatcher facts in mind the next time you have to place a call to them. If you ever need to dial 911 remember that they are trying to help in every way they possibly can. Hopefully you never have to though.

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