CALLING 9-1-1
9-1-1 EMERGENCY SERVICE
The SCRD has provided emergency telephone 9-1-1 service for police, fire and ambulance since 1995 when Bylaw No. 1025 was enacted. Additionally, enhanced 9-1-1 provides automatic location identifiers (ALI). 911 service is provided by E-COMM on the Sunshine Coast.
When you dial 9-1-1, the operator will ask whether you want police, fire or ambulance then request "for which city" and then transfer your call to the appropriate agency - please stay on the line - DO NOT HANG UP. You will then be asked to provide your name, address, phone number and the nature of your emergency. Depending on the situation, you may be asked for additional details. Provide the 9-1-1 operator with as much information as possible. While it may seem irrelevant, the operator is gathering the necessary information to assist emergency responders with knowing what they may expect when they arrive on scene. Try and remain calm and speak clearly.
The 9-1-1 system automatically identifies the number and associated address of the telephone you are calling from. If you cannot speak because you are panicked, disoriented or in personal danger, help can still be sent to you.
Calls to 9-1-1 from cellular phones do not provide any of the location information therefore it is important that you immediately provide the location where emergency services are required. Should your call be disconnected due to poor reception or a dying battery, try and have someone get to a pay phone or regular land line and call the 9-1-1 operator back. Note that calls to 9-1-1 from a pay phone do not require any money.
Should you dial 9-1-1 in error, stay on the line and advise the operator that the call was a mistake. This will let them know that you are okay and do not require any assistance. Deliberate misuse of 9-1-1 is a criminal offence. All 9-1-1 calls are taped and the caller is identifiable. Do not pre-program 9-1-1 into your phone's speed dial. Unnecessary calls tie up resources and could potentially delay real emergencies from being attended to.
Also make your home easy to locate. Your address should be visible from the street regardless of whether it is day or night. This will ensure that emergency responders are able to locate you quickly and not waste precious time searching for your home.
For non-emergencies on the Sunshine Coast, please contact the following:
- Ambulance 604-885-5191
- Fire - see the front of your phone book for the firehall in your area
- Police 604-885-2266
- St. Mary's Hospital 604-885-2224
REMEMBER, ONLY IN AN EMERENCY DIAL 9-1-1
For additional information on 9-1-1, please see the following:
