The Perfect Time for 9-1-1 Education Month and Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

Throughout April, public safety entities will celebrate 9-1-1 Education Month and National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW), April 10^th -16^th, 2022. For over 50 years, 9-1-1 has served as a vital component of emergency response, and telecommunicators (sometimes referred to as 9-1-1 call-takers or dispatchers) have helped save countless lives. They answer the calls for help day and night, handling the most challenging situations. 

9-1-1 educators will be out in the community sharing many important 9-1-1 education messages this month, such as Know Your Location; Call if You Can, Text if You Can’t; and Lock It in Your Pocket. They will also be educating businesses or other locations using multi-line telephone systems about Kari’s Law and providing direct access to 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Let’s review some of the critical messages now.

Know Your Location

It is imperative to practice awareness and know your location at all times. You never know when you might be in an emergency and will need to call 9-1-1 for help. One of the first questions a call-taker usually asks is, “What is the location of your emergency?”

The call-takers do not know your exact location when calling 9-1-1 from your cell phone. If you are in an emergency and do not know the address of your location, you can still provide the nearest mile markers, cross streets, and landmarks. Make sure to answer all the call-takers questions too.

Call if You Can, Text if You Can’t

Many 9-1-1 call centers now can accept text messages to 9-1-1. This message is a good reminder that it is always important to call 9-1-1 when in an emergency. Sometimes, placing a call may not be possible. If you have texting available on your cell phone, you can place a text to 9-1-1. Should the text not be able to be delivered, you will receive a message from your carrier with instructions to place a call to 9-1-1.   

Examples of when to use  Text-to-911:

·       You are deaf or hard of hearing

·       Your safety would be compromised if you were to speak out loud

For more information on Text-to-911, please visit the FCC website at https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/what-you-need-know-about-text-911.

Lock It in Your Pocket

Cell phones can easily pocket dial anyone, including 9-1-1. To ensure you do not accidentally contact 9-1-1, always lock your cell phone before putting it away. You can help eliminate non-emergency calls from tying up the lines needed for actual emergencies when you “Lock It in Your Pocket.”

NPSTW History

NPSTW was created to recognize the significant contribution of 9-1-1 telecommunicators in ensuring the community has access to emergency services. This important week of recognition was started in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in California. To read more on the back- story, please view this link: NPSTW History.

Take the time to thank our 9-1-1 telecommunicators for their critical and dedicated service. Below is Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Proclamation for NPSTW. If you ever find yourself in an emergency, please do not hesitate to contact 9-1-1 for help. 

Joining the 9-1-1 Organization(s) for You!

There are many organizations in the 9-1-1 world, and someone new to the industry might not be sure where to start, which organizations to join, or which conferences to attend. This blog breaks down a few organizations and who is usually involved in each organization.

Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO)

Mission Statement

“APCO is an international leader committed to providing complete public safety communications expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy, and outreach to benefit our members and the public.” 

APCO is the oldest and largest public safety communications professionals’ organization globally and has many resources for all 9-1-1 professionals. Many 9-1-1 industry leaders enjoy participating in their annual national conference. Not only do they have an annual national conference, but they also have local Chapter conferences and training available to empower those in 9-1-1. 

You can learn more about APCO by visiting their website at https://www.apcointl.org/. APCO also has an annual membership fee, which provides many opportunities for 9-1-1 professionals.

National Emergency Number Association (NENA)

Mission Statement

“The 9-1-1 Association improves 9-1-1 through research, standards development, training, education, outreach, and advocacy. Our vision is a public made safer and more secure through universally-available state-of-the-art 9-1-1 systems and trained 9-1-1 professionals.” 

Many might argue that NENA has a little bit of something for everyone, whether you are a 9-1-1 coordinator, a PSAP manager, or a 9-1-1 call-taker - and they certainly do! Not only do they have a national conference each year, but many local Chapters also hold annual conferences. There are opportunities for you to work with your peers, get various training and certifications to boost your 9-1-1 knowledge, keep up to date on pending legislation, and more.

There is a fee to join, but you get a lot of perks with your membership. You can learn more about NENA by visiting their website here: https://www.nena.org/.

National Public Safety Educators Forum (NPEF)

This organization was created over 12 years ago between passionate 9-1-1 public educators who saw a need for more education and training geared toward public educators in the industry. They formed NPEF and started providing an annual conference. They offer many resources for educators to use at their fingertips on the NPEF Dropbox and their website. NPEF also regularly provides live webinars (recordings provided on the NPEF website after) and e-blasts with updated conference and outreach information about the conference.

Want to learn more about this non-profit organization for public safety educators? Visit their website and become a member for free (www.911npef.org)! Registration is now open for the 2022 Virtual NPEF conference on July 26^th and 27^th. Register here: https://www.911npef.org/event-details/2022-npef-virtual-conference. NPEF will be back in person in Austin in 2023.

No matter what organization(s) you decide to join, you are sure to learn more about the 9-1-1 industry and how it all operates. 

Brand New Year, Same Important 9-1-1 Tips!

As we ring in 2022, we hope this new year is filled with joyous times. We head into the new year with goals in mind and the hopes for a brighter year. While we head into a new year, one thing remains the same: the importance of 9-1-1 public education. Cell Phone Sally compiled a list of her favorite tips to ensure you and your loved ones have a great new year and are prepared if you ever find yourself in an emergency.

Always Know Your Location

The easiest way to do this is to be constantly aware of your surroundings. This way, you never miss something that could be vital information later. Look for street names, landmarks, mile markers, and anything else that might help a 9-1-1 call-taker find you during an emergency.

Kari’s Law

Kari’s Law started as a state law in Texas in 2015. In 2018, it became federal law. Kari’s Law means that all multi-line telephone systems  (MLTS) should be able to direct-dial 9-1-1 without dialing an additional digit such as 9. If your company or a company you work for utilizes MLTS phones, check with your IT department to see if they direct dial 9-1-1. For more information on Kari’s Law, visit the CSEC’s website.

Be Prepared for Any Emergency

Do you have an emergency plan in place for your family? If you don’t, now is the time to plan, especially since we are starting a fresh new year. Visit www.ready.gov for all the ins and outs on disaster preparedness! You can also visit https://www.dhs.gov/plan-and-prepare-disasters for more information from the Department of Homeland Security.

Be Aware of Unsafe Products and Recalls

Keep your family safe from potentially dangerous products. You can find out about unsafe products here: http://www.cpsc.gov/.

Get Involved in Health and Wellness!

It is vital to keep your family healthy. Here are the top ten tips for keeping your family healthy this year!

·       Eat healthily. Limit your fast-food intake

·       Physical activity. This means walking, riding bikes, jogging, weightlifting, and more. Anything that gets your heart rate up!

·       Drink water: Drink a glass of water with each meal and between meals. It is also essential to drink water before, during, and after exercise.

·       No stress: Set boundaries and stick to them. Develop a good sleep routine. Talk it out with a friend and be mindful.

·       Regular check-ups: A regular dental check-up is crucial because they help keep your teeth and gums healthy. You should have a routine dental visit at least every six months or as recommended by your dentist. And why is visiting your doctor annually a good idea as well? It reduces your risk of getting sick. It can detect potentially life-threatening health conditions or diseases earlier, increasing chances for treatment and cure. Lastly, it limits the risk of complications by monitoring existing conditions closely.

Know the Number to Poison Control Services

Not sure if you can mix certain medications? Have an allergic reaction to something and are not sure if you should go to the emergency room? Get bit by a spider and not sure if it is poisonous? All of these questions can get answered and more - free of charge! Go ahead and memorize this number or save it in your phone now: 1-800-222-1222. Visit the Poison Control website here for more information: http://www.poisoncontrol.org/.

These are just a few tips to make your new year the best it can be! And as always, remember- if you are ever in an emergency and need help, please do not hesitate to call or text 9-1-1!

 

9-1-1 Holiday Safety Tips to Remember as You Celebrate with Loved Ones

The holidays are when people get together and enjoy extra time with family and friends. This might be the first time in a while you have celebrated with loved ones due to the pandemic. It is essential to put safety first as we plan the holidays. Follow these great reminder tips to keep you and your family safe this holiday season.

Christmas Trees

Many families will buy a natural Christmas tree for their homes. Some things to keep in mind include always keeping the tree watered. When a tree does not get watered, it dies and dries out. This then becomes a fire hazard.

Other tips for trees include placing a tree in areas not too close to heat, a fireplace, or candles. After the holidays are over, the best way to dispose of your tree is to take it to a recycling center or have it picked up by community service.

Holiday Lights and Decorations

Decorating can be jolly and fun, but safety is still a must when putting out your holiday décor. Inspect holiday lights for possible frayed wires or broken lights. Replace broken lights, throw out lights that are not working correctly, and not overload your electrical outlets. Too many plugs into one outlet can be a severe safety hazard. Instead, buy extension cords and multi-outlet plugs.

Traveling During the Holidays

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the safest way to avoid spreading or contracting COVID-19 is to stay home and celebrate the holidays with family virtually. If you do travel, please wear masks in crowded areas, practice social distancing and wash your hands often.

Also, make sure to never post on social media when you are out of town. If the wrong people get ahold of this information, your home could be burglarized.  It would be best if you kept an eye on your digital security. Many transactions during the holidays give more opportunities to fall prey to identity theft. Remember to only shop at reputable online stores and use a virtual private network to add an extra layer of security to your surfing.

Calling 9-1-1 During the Holidays

Please remember that 9-1-1 is for emergencies only.  When we dial 9-1-1 for anything other than an emergency, we take away emergency resources from someone who could need them. But if you do see an emergency or are involved in one, please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 for help.

Cell Phone Sally wishes you a safe holiday season!

Back to the Basics: When and When Not to Call 9-1-1

Have you ever found yourself in an emergency? Did you call 9-1-1 for help? For decades we have learned the basics of when and when not to call 9-1-1. But we usually learn at a young age and never really discuss it again until a situation arises where we might need help.

With many accidental calls occurring daily around the country, we decided to bring it back to the basics and review when and when not to call 9-1-1. Before we do that, let’s review the definition of an emergency in the dictionary:   a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action. To take that a little further, an emergency, in our case, is when an event occurs that requires police, firefighters, or an ambulance.

When to Call 9-1-1

• When lives are at risk (examples include a medical emergency, a severe car accident, or a fire, to name a few)
• When you need the police, fire department, or paramedics

When Not to Call 9-1-1

•  As a game or joke
• When there is NOT an emergency (Be careful not to accidentally dial 9-1-1 when you stick it in your back pocket.)
• As practice

Once you call, the first question most 9-1-1 call-takers will ask you is, “What is the location of your emergency?” Without this critical piece of information, they are unable to route emergency services to you. Make sure if you are calling, you always know your location. You might not always know the specific address, but anything you can provide to help get emergency services to you quickly can help. Some examples include knowing cross streets, landmarks,  and mile markers too.

What are some other numbers you can call for help?

What a great question! Maybe you require assistance in another way. Here is a list of resources that can help you in other ways:

Poison Control 1-800-222-1222

National Suicide Hotline 988

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline 1-800-950-(NAMI) (6264)

Practice Smart and Safe Living During National Safety Month

This year marks the 25^th year to recognize National Safety Month. Unfortunately, accidental injury is the third leading cause of death for the first time in our history. According to the National Safety Council, an American is accidentally injured every second and killed every three minutes by a preventable event, like a drug overdose, vehicle crash, fall, drowning, or another preventable incident. While this might be the case, that doesn’t mean there are no measures to put in place to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones. So use this time to get into action and be prepared for anything!

Below are some safety issues and tips that can assist you in living a healthier life:

Emergency Preparedness

When it comes to emergency preparedness, you can never be too prepared. Planning can keep you and your family safe when an emergency might strike. From natural disasters to terrorist attacks to blackouts, emergencies can be downright scary. But, the better prepared you are, the calmer you can be in conquering these emergencies.

How can you be prepared?

·          Purchase or build an emergency supply kit. (www.ready.gov/build-a-kit)

·          Write down a family emergency plan and figure out where to meet up when an emergency occurs. (www.ready.gov/make-a-plan)

·          Learn what to do when it comes to various types of emergencies. (www.ready.gov/be-informed)

Ergonomics

Let’s face it. Most jobs include sitting for the majority of the workday. While sitting at a desk all day might not sound hazardous to your health, it can cause many back and neck problems. A body that rests stays resting, which is why it is good to get up regularly and move around when working at a desk all day.  Other jobs have potential hazards at work, so it is essential to practice good ergonomics (fitting a job to a person). This can help lessen muscle fatigue, increase productivity and prevent unwanted injuries.

Below are some basic safety measures while working:

·       Lift items correctly and safely.

·       Take short breaks and stretch your muscles when doing strenuous work.

·       Wear protective equipment.

·       Get enough rest before work so that you are alert.

·       Take steps to manage stress.

For more information on ergonomics that fit your job, visit https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/.

Transportation Safety

We all know how important it is to wear your seatbelt. But it is also imperative to not participate in distracted driving. How can we eliminate distracted driving? Keep your phone out of your hands and put it away, and try not to eat or do any other type of activity while driving. Distracted driving is hazardous- almost 1 in 5 crashes (that’s 17 percent!) where someone was injured involved distracted driving.

Here are some additional tips from the National Safety Council:

·       Making sure every passenger buckles up every trip.

·       Designating alcohol and drug-free driver or arranging alternate transportation.

·       Getting plenty of sleep and taking regular breaks to avoid fatigue on long trips.

·       Never using a cell phone behind the wheel.

·       You are staying engaged with your teens’ driving habits. An NSC survey found many parents are more inclined to loosen household driving rules during the summer. 

Slips, Trips, and Falls

It is essential always to be aware of your surroundings. For example, did you know that one in three older adults falls each year? Unfortunately, many of those falls lead to health problems, including broken bones. According to the CDC, in 2002, more than 12,800 people over 65 died, and 1.6 million were treated in the ER due to falls.

Common hazards in the home that to be aware of are usually the reason for these falls. With this checklist, you can learn how to fix these hazards and help prevent unnecessary falls: http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/pubs/English/booklet_Eng_desktop-a.pdf.

Prescription Painkiller Abuse

Prescription painkiller abuse is a growing epidemic in the U.S. Here is a scary fact: One in 12 workers are dealing with an untreated substance use disorder.  It’s time we change those statistics!

Learn how to use medicines safely with these helpful tips from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/everyday-healthy-living/safety/use-medicines-safely.

Remember to focus on safety this month, and you are sure to come out more prepared! If you do ever find yourself in an emergency, please do not hesitate to contact 9-1-1 for immediate help.

Celebrating 9-1-1 Education Month and 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Week

April marks the recognition of 9-1-1 Education month as well as National 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Week (April 11-17, 2021).  During this time, 9-1-1 entities all over educate how more important than ever 9-1-1 education is for both adults and children. For over 40 years, 9-1-1 has served as an essential part of emergency services. This month symbolizes the importance of public education about 9-1-1 the proper use of this service. 

While many people are aware of the significance of 9-1-1 and using it correctly, there are still many people who are not. An example is by cutting down on misuse or abuse of 9-1-1. This will really help 9-1-1 telecommunicators (also known as 9-1-1 call-takers) respond to real emergencies quicker and more efficiently.

Learning about 9-1-1 safety can be lots of fun with the right educational tools and there are many out there. Some examples of 9-1-1 entities throughout the U.S. who do a great job include Charleston County 9-1-1 and West Central Texas Council of Governments, and Greater Harris County, just to name a few (check out their Facebook pages!). The Commission on State Emergency Communications also created Cell Phone Sally along with her friends in 2010 to assist in conveying three basic messages to the public: when to call 9-1-1, how to call 9-1-1, and what to say in case of a police, fire, medical or poison emergency. To learn more about Cell Phone Sally visit her Facebook page or the CSEC website.

You can also check out www.know911.org and see the selection of publications and educational materials geared toward adults, seniors and children that assist in education and importance of 9-1-1.

Last but not least, in showing gratitude during 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Week, take the time to thank a call-taker for their dedicated service. A little appreciation goes a long way. Below, you will find the Texas Governor’s Proclamation for TC Week. Thank you call-takers for all that you do!