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- Community Emergency Preparedness & Response Guide
- Communications Protocols
Communications Protocols
Weston's Unified 911 Protocol
Give 911 Dispatchers LIP (Location, Identity, Problem)
Out-of-State Contact
Be sure everyone in your emergency plan knows your out-of-state contact telephone number. Be sure the contact knows his/her role. During a major emergency, circuits within the state and possibly the region could be busy. It may be possible to reach someone out-of-state. If people in your plan become separated they may be able to call your designated contact and that person can relay important information.
Reporting Any Emergency
By Cell Phone
Calls to 911 made from a cell phone will go to one of 3 911 wireless answering Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP).
The 911 PSAPs have the ability to pin point a caller’s location by showing the latitude and longitude. This will give the PSAP operator the caller’s location within a certain distance, and it is updated every 10 seconds.
Enhanced 911
Weston phones, except cell phones as previously noted, are tied to an enhanced 911 system that identifies the origin, or "address," of a call. The system does not identify where in the building a call is coming from. This is important in buildings. Giving a precise location within the building is important information for the dispatcher.
Cordless Phones
Remember that if the power goes out, cordless phones or phones tied to an electrically dependent base will not work. Either have a spare corded type phone available or test your cordless or base operated phone to be sure it can be directly connected to a phone jack and by-pass the electrical base.
Cell Phones
Are an important alternative means of communication. However, during emergency situations cell signals may not always work from your location. Keep them charged.
Give 911 Dispatchers LIP (Location, Identity, Problem)
- First, if possible, remove yourself from the emergency.
- Dial 911
- Give information in the following order:
- Location: Exact location in this order:
- Weston address or landmark in a building (floor level)
- Room number
- Best entrance if known
- Identity: Your name and relationship to the location or individual and call back number
- Problem: Brief, exact description of the incident (What has happened? What you know, not what you think.)
- Location: Exact location in this order:
- You May Be Asked:
- If it is a building emergency:
- Are there any injuries?
- Is everyone out of danger area and how do you know? Where did they go?
- Is the incident inside a building or outside?
- Was there a fire or an explosion?
- Odd or distinctive smell?
- Do you know of any hazardous materials?
- Where are those hazards in the building?
- If it is a medical emergency:
- Do not hang up.
- Questions will be asked based on LIP (the info you first gave).
- Instructions may be given to you.
- If it is a road emergency:
- Are there any obvious injuries?
- Is there a fire? Is there smoke and what is its color?
- Was there an explosion?
- Is a truck involved? What's the shape of the truck?
- Can you provide descriptions of any markings or placards on the truck, including color or shape?
- Are there any obvious liquids leaking?
- Is there an obvious vapor?
- Do you notice an odd or distinctive smell?
- If it is a building emergency:
Out-of-State Contact
Be sure everyone in your emergency plan knows your out-of-state contact telephone number. Be sure the contact knows his/her role. During a major emergency, circuits within the state and possibly the region could be busy. It may be possible to reach someone out-of-state. If people in your plan become separated they may be able to call your designated contact and that person can relay important information.
Reporting Any Emergency
By Cell Phone
Calls to 911 made from a cell phone will go to one of 3 911 wireless answering Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP).
The 911 PSAPs have the ability to pin point a caller’s location by showing the latitude and longitude. This will give the PSAP operator the caller’s location within a certain distance, and it is updated every 10 seconds.
Enhanced 911
Weston phones, except cell phones as previously noted, are tied to an enhanced 911 system that identifies the origin, or "address," of a call. The system does not identify where in the building a call is coming from. This is important in buildings. Giving a precise location within the building is important information for the dispatcher.
Cordless Phones
Remember that if the power goes out, cordless phones or phones tied to an electrically dependent base will not work. Either have a spare corded type phone available or test your cordless or base operated phone to be sure it can be directly connected to a phone jack and by-pass the electrical base.
Cell Phones
Are an important alternative means of communication. However, during emergency situations cell signals may not always work from your location. Keep them charged.