911
Program
On
December 11, 1990 Legislation was enacted to provide
statewide enhanced-911 telephone service in Massachusetts.
Enhanced 911 is designed to report various types of
emergencies. An emergency can constitute many
different situations. Here are a few examples
to assist you in determining what types of situations
you should use 911 to report and what types of situations
you should not use 911.
The following list is a sampling of situations where
dialing 9-1-1 is appropriate. This list is not
all-inclusive. It is only intended to demonstrate
some of the types of situations or emergencies that
should be reported by dialing 9-1-1. As a rule,
9-1-1 should be used whenever a person has or is in
danger of an injury or property is in imminent danger.
To report non-emergency situations call 781-293-4625
and dial “0” to reach the dispatcher on
duty.
-
To save a Life
- To stop a crime
- To report a fire
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Burglaries
- Medical Emergencies
- Fires
- Missing or Abducted Persons
- Drunk or Impaired Drivers
- Domestic Assaults and Disputes
- Assaults in Progress
- An Intruder in Your House or on Your Property
- A Stolen Motor Vehicle
- Shoplifting
When
not to dial 9-1-1
Do not dial 9-1-1 to report Animal Complaints; Traffic
Complaints; Road Conditions or Nuisance type Complaints.
Calls for general information such as School Closings,
Directions or Weather Conditions are also inappropriate
for 9-1-1. REMEMBER, “9-1-1 is for EMERGENCIES
only.”
Some Things You Should Know About 9-1-1
When a caller dials 9-1-1, the name and address from
which you are calling will be displayed at the operator’s
location. The operator will need to verify this
information in the event that the emergency is at a
different location than that which the call has been
placed.
Hearing Impaired Persons
A 9-1-1 Operator is trained to take a call using a teletypewriter/telecommunications
device for the deaf. This is commonly referred
to as TTY. Hearing impaired persons may also use
the Massachusetts Relay Center to contact 9-1-1.
Cellular Telephones
9-1-1 can be dialed from a cell phone. Your call
will automatically be directed to the nearest Massachusetts
State Police Barracks. The State Police Operator
will determine your location and nature of the emergency.
The operator will then forward your call to the appropriate
agency in that jurisdiction.
Accidental 9-1-1
If someone in your home should dial 9-1-1 accidentally,
DO NOT HANG UP on the 911 Operator. The Operator
will need to verify that the call was placed in error
and verify your name and address. A Police Officer
may be dispatched to the originating address if there
is “hang up” or “silent” 9-1-1
call or the Operator believes there may be an emergency.
In the event of “hang up” or “silent”
9-1-1 call, the Operator will call back to the originating
telephone. ANSWER the phone if you have made a
9-1-1 call by mistake. Do not be surprised or
upset if a Police Officer comes to your door.
The Officer is verifying that there is no emergency.
Stay on the Phone
If you are reporting an Emergency or Crime, remain on
the phone with the 9-1-1 Operator until the Operator
tells you to hang up or help has arrived. You
may be able to provide additional information to the
Operator that will assist the responding Emergency Personnel
in helping you or apprehending a suspected criminal.
Non-Emergency Calls to 9-1-1
When a 9-1-1 Operator receives a call that does not
constitute an emergency, the call will be directed to
a recording. The recording will state “911
is for Emergencies only. Please consult the Verizon
directory white pages for the seven digit number for
this call.” The phone will then disconnect.
All non-emergency calls to the Hanson Police Department
should be placed to 781-293-4625.
Disabled Persons
If you or a person with a disability resides with you
and you would like emergency personnel to be aware of
that disability, you may record this information with
E911. If you record this information with E911,
the type of disability that you have specified will
appear on the 9-1-1 Operator's screen whenever a 9-1-1
call is placed from your telephone. Providing
this information to the responding emergency personnel
can aid them in assisting you. If you would like
to record this type of information download this form.
The form is in PDF file format and you will need Adobe
Acrobat Reader to read and print it. Fill out
the form completely and submit it to Chief
Dispatcher Hatch at 795 Indian Head St., Hanson,
MA 02341. If you have any questions, call 781-293-4625.
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