If you’ve never needed to call 911 before, you may not know what to expect. It can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, but don’t panic—the dispatcher on the other end of the line is a highly trained professional ready to help you get the care you need, quickly and safely.
Clarify Your Exact Location
After you dial 911 and describe your emergency to the dispatcher, they’ll need to know your exact location. Try to speak calmly and clearly to ensure there’s no confusion about your whereabouts. It’s also important to clarify what you need—an ambulance, the fire department, the police? You may need to be transferred depending on your needs.
Be Ready with the Right Information
Once they arrive, paramedics will ask several health-related questions:
- Does the person with the emergency have any chronic conditions?
- Are they currently taking any medications?
- Are they allergic to any medications?
Put the answers to these questions, as well as your family’s physicians’ contact information, in writing and store them somewhere safe so you can retrieve this info in case of emergency.
Prepare for Treatment and Transport
Depending on the nature of your emergency, paramedics may administer treatment on the scene or en route to the emergency department (ED). You may receive oxygen, fluids, medications, EKG monitoring or other interventions.
Inspira EMS and Ground Transport are trained to be swift and assertive when it comes to patient care. No matter your emergency, our EMS professionals are committed to delivering crucial, life-saving support.
