Central Dispatch (9-1-1)
When to Call 9-1-1
9-1-1 is for police, fire, or medical emergencies when immediate action is required, such as when someone’s health, safety or property is in jeopardy, or a crime is in progress.
Examples:
- Whenever you, or another person’s health, safety or property is compromised
- Medical emergency that is a threat to life or health
- Any in-progress crimes or when a serious crime has just occurred (sexual or other assault, robbery, child abduction)
- Downed power lines
- Domestic disputes
- Assaults
- Gunshots
- Fires and/or smoke
- Car accidents with injuries
- Suspicious activity
When to call the non-emergency line
If you need police assistance that is not of an emergency nature, please use the local 10-digit non-emergency number, (989) 362-1430
Examples:
- Reporting a crime with no suspect
- Reporting a crime with a suspect, but the suspect is not on scene.
- Delayed reports such as an incident that occurred the night before.
- Non-emergencies in progress, such as loud music.
- On-going crime issues or crimes that are not in-progress.
FAQs
Why do the dispatchers ask so many questions?
Dispatchers are trained to ask critical information to obtain as much information as possible to relay to first responders. Dispatchers utilize emergency medical dispatching and emergency fire dispatching protocols and are required to ask specific questions for different call types. Answering these questions quickly and as best to your knowledge help dispatchers and first responders provide the best service.
Why am I asked to repeat my address?
During emergencies, it is easy to accidentally provide us the wrong address. Therefore, dispatchers ask for you to verify your address and cross streets. This helps dispatchers send first responders to the correct address.