Know when to call, what to say, and how to help.
A few minutes of preparation can save a life. These are the basics every Coosada resident should know about contacting 911.
911 vs. non‑emergency. The quick rule.
- Crime in progress
- Serious injury or medical emergency
- Fire, smoke, or gas leak
- Any immediate threat to life or property
- Non‑active, past incidents
- Suspicious (but not active) activity
- Noise complaints, civil matters
- General questions or requests
Four things a dispatcher needs to know, in order.
Stay on the line. The dispatcher is helping you and dispatching responders at the same time.
Helping kids feel confident about calling 911.
Memorize the address
Practice saying the home address, including city and any apartment/unit number.
Only in an emergency
Teach that 911 is for fires, injuries, or when someone might hurt them, not as a test.
Stay calm. Stay on.
It's okay to be scared. The dispatcher will talk them through it and stay on the line.
Accidental 911 call? Please stay on the line.
Pocket dials and child‑play dials are common. If you accidentally dial 911, do not hang up. Stay on the line and tell the dispatcher you're okay. If you hang up, the dispatcher will call you back and may dispatch an officer to verify your safety.
This is not a mistake you'll get in trouble for. We'd rather verify than miss a real emergency.
Classroom visits & community safety presentations.
The Coosada 911 Communications District offers public‑safety presentations for schools, civic groups, and community organizations in and around the Town of Coosada. Reach out to schedule.