A Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) is the place that receives a 9-1-1 call.

City of Buckley Police Department
Buckley, Washington 98321
(253) 862-9059

City of Fife Police Department
Fife, Washington 98424
(253) 922-6633

1115th Signal Battalion/DOIM
Fort Lewis, Washington 98431
(253) 968-1911

Law Enforcement Support Agency (LESA)
Tacoma, Washington 98409
(253) 798-6645

Pierce County Lakewood Firecomm
Lakewood, Washington 98499
(253) 983-4563

Puyallup City Communications
Puyallup, Washington 98374
(253) 841-5434

City of Sumner Police Department
Sumner, Washington 98390
(253) 863-6384

City of Tacoma Fire Communications
Tacoma, Washington 98402
(253) 591-5730

Washington State Patrol
Tacoma, Washington 98445
(253) 536-4351

WHAT IS 9-1-1?

• 9-1-1 is the telephone number to dial when help is needed in an emergency.
• 9-1-1 will give you direct access to FIRE, POLICE, AID, RESCUE and POISON CONTROL.

9-1-1 MAY BE USED BY ANYONE!

• Children can be taught to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.
• The sight impaired can learn the digits on the telephone or use a pre-programmed speak-dial button.
• All personnel are trained to identify and answer TTY and TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf) calls. Each call taking position is equipped to answer these types of calls.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?

• When you call 9-1-1, your call is answered by professionally trained personnel. It is their job to assess the situation and determine the appropriate response.
• Remain calm and speak clearly. Do not panic. If you are excited it is sometimes difficult to obtain the necessary critical information needed for a quick response to your emergency.
• Be prepared to provide the call taker with the nature of your emergency, your name, phone number, address, the address where the incident ocurred (if different) and any additional information the call taker may request.
• Please be aware that the call takers are professionally trained and the information they require is important. Don't become impatient or angry if you do not understand the nature of their questions.
• If the situation warrants, assistance will be dispatched and the call taker may solicit information from you while emergency services are on the way.
• In some cases you may be asked to remain on the line until assistance arrives. DO NOT hang up until you are told to do so.
• The call taker may give you First Aid/CPR instructions until help arrives.
• Be aware that when you call 9-1-1 from a cellular phone, your call is routed to the nearest 9-1-1 Center and that the call taker may not be in the same area you are calling from. Be prepared to provide them with all of the information they request.

WHEN TO DIAL 9-1-1

• When life and/or property are in immediate danger.
• When you see smoke or a fire.
• When you see a crime being committed.
• When rescue or emergency medical assistance is needed.

WHAT YOU NEED TO REPORT

• The location where help is needed, and a description of what is happening (accident, burglary, chest pains, fight, death, etc.).

HOW TO CALL 9-1-1

• To call 9-1-1 from a home phone or a simple business phone, pick up the phone and dial the numbers, 9-1-1.
• To call 9-1-1 from a Centrex or PBX business extension, obtain an outside line (usually by dialing '9'), and then dial the numbers, 9-1-1.
  Ask your employer.
• To dial 9-1-1 from a pay phone, no money is needed; simply dial the numbers, 9-1-1.

WHEN NOT TO CALL 9-1-1

• Never dial 9-1-1 as a joke!
• Do not dial 9-1-1 for information, such as road or weather conditions, area power outages or directions.
• Do not pre-program alarm circuit to dial 9-1-1.
• Do not dial 9-1-1 to report animal problems.

WHAT SHOULD I TEACH MY CHILD ABOUT CALLING 9-1-1?

• Teach your children their name, their parents' names, their home address and home phone number.
• Teach your children the name of your employer and phone number.
• Teach your children what an emergency is and when to call 9-1-1.
• Teach your children how to hold the phone properly so that they can speak clearly to the call taker.
• Teach your children that it is against the law to call 9-1-1 as a joke or prank.
• Teach your children not to be afraid to call 9-1-1 if there is any doubt whether they should call.
• Calling a parent at work before calling 9-1-1 can waste valuable time. Give your children permission to call 9-1-1 if they think there is an emergency.

9-1-1 SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS AND ADULTS

• Teach your children the proper use of 9-1-1.
• Don't say 'Nine-Eleven' there is no 'Eleven' on the phone keypad and children can become confused in an emergency situation. Instead, always say 'Nine-One-One'!
• Always call 9-1-1 from a safe place. If there is a fire in the house, get to a safe place before calling 9-1-1.
• Know your address - have it posted near every phone. Kids and adults both have been known to forget their address and phone number during an emergency, so make it easy for everyone in the home.
• Instruct your children, and their baby-sitter how and when to use 9-1-1 properly.
• Make sure your house number is visible at night from the street and is clearly posted where your driveway joins the road.
• Never call 9-1-1 as a joke or prank. You could get into trouble, your parents could get into trouble and you keep someone who really needs help from getting it.
• 9-1-1 is for people, NOT animals. If you have a problem with a pet, call a friend or veterinarian. If you are not sure you have an emergency, call 9-1-1 and explain your problem to the 9-1-1 call taker.
• If you call 9-1-1 by accident, please do not hang up. When the call taker answers, explain that you called 9-1-1 by mistake and that you do not have an emergency.

OTHER INFORMATION

• Dial the Police and Fire Department's business numbers for follow-up information and/or general information.
• Report power outages directly to Public Utilities (PUD).
• Do you have a cordless telephone? Low batteries may activate 9-1-1; check batteries regularly.
• You do not need a coin to dial 9-1-1 from a pay phone.

Pierce County Enhanced 9-1-1 Program Office
Pierce County Department of Emergency Management
2501 South 35th Street Suite 'D'
Tacoma Washington 98409-7405
Phone (253) 798-4911
Fax (253) 798-3307

Program Manager

Tim Lenk..................................................(253) 798-7011
send mail to: tlenk@co.pierce.wa.us

9-1-1 Program Coordinator

Jean Nealy...............................................(253) 798-2206
send mail to: jnealy@co.pierce.wa.us

Administrative Assistant/MSAG

Maureen Ackerman.................................(253) 798-4911
send mail to: mackerm@co.pierce.wa.us

Public Educator

Katie Gillespie.........................................(253) 798-3311
send mail to: kgilles@co.pierce.wa.us

GIS Specialist

Thomas Sharp........................................(253) 798-3419
send mail to: tsharp@co.pierce.wa.us