E-911 Communications

Medical Emergencies:

• Difficulty breathing or not breathing
• Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness
• Severe bleeding that won't stop
• Chest pain or heart attack symptoms
• Stroke symptoms (numbness, confusion, difficulty speaking)
• Severe burns larger than your palm
• Electrical burns or lightning strikes
• Severe allergic reactions
• Seizures or convulsions
• Choking (unable to clear airway)

Other Life-Threatening Situations:

• Crimes in progress
• Serious vehicle accidents with injuries
• Structure fires
• Any situation where someone's life is in immediate danger

Important Cell Phone Guidelines

• Your exact location is not automatically known
• Clearly state your address and nearest cross streets
• Stay on the line until dismissed by the dispatcher
• Keep your phone on for potential callbacks
• Be patient if transferred to another agency
• Lock your keypad to prevent accidental 9-1-1 calls

Texting to 9-1-1 Service

When to Text 9-1-1:

• You are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities
• Speaking aloud would put you in danger
• Medical emergency prevents you from speaking

How to Text 9-1-1:

• Enter "911" in the recipient field
• Include your location and type of emergency needed (police, fire, ambulance)
• Use simple language - no abbreviations, emojis, or slang
• Keep messages under 160 characters
• Follow dispatcher instructions

Texting 9-1-1 Limitations:

• Not available everywhere or when roaming
• Requires an active text/data plan
• Location accuracy is limited
• No group messaging
• No photos/videos accepted
• English only (no translation services)

Professional Emergency Response

Our trained emergency call takers will guide you through the process calmly and efficiently. Every question serves a purpose in getting you the right help quickly.

Standard Questions You Will Be Asked

1. Location: "What is the address of the emergency?"
2. Callback number: For verification and follow-up
3. Nature of emergency: "What exactly happened?"
4. Age of person: "How old is the person?"
5. Consciousness: "Is the person conscious?"
6. Breathing status: "Is the person breathing normally?"

Our call takers are trained to provide:

• CPR instructions
• First aid guidance
• Emergency childbirth assistance
• Other life-saving techniques until help arrives

How You Can Help

• Stay calm and answer all questions
• Unlock your front door if safe to do so
• Secure pets in a separate room
• Turn on outdoor lights for visibility
• Have someone flag down emergency vehicles if needed
• Do not hang up until the dispatcher says it's okay

Non-Emergency Services: Phone: 404-294-2911

Remember: Wait times may be longer on non-emergency lines as 9-1-1 calls take priority.

"Urgency Without Emergency" situations:

• Minor traffic accidents (no injuries)
• Vehicle break-ins (after the fact)
• Suspicious activity reporting
• Non-urgent police or fire department matters
• General law enforcement questions

Q. Why do I hear an automated recording when I call 9-1-1?

A. Our system prioritizes 9-1-1 calls automatically. If all operators are busy, stay on the line - don't hang up and redial, as this moves you to the back of the queue.

Q. Why are there wait times on the non-emergency line?

A. 9-1-1 calls always take priority. Significant wait times can occur on 404-294-2911 at any time. Never hang up and dial 9-1-1 instead unless it becomes a life-threatening emergency.

Q. Why do dispatchers ask so many questions?

A. Every question helps determine the appropriate response level and protects both the public and first responders. Questions also help provide life-saving instructions while help is on the way.

Cities with Independent 9-1-1 Centers:

• Chamblee
• Decatur
• Doraville

Cities Using Chattahoochee River 9-1-1 Authority:

• Brookhaven
• Dunwoody