Calling 911 or Calling the Police/Emergency Services

When you call 911, it is an emergency.  Make sure you know what to do if you are experiencing an emergency.  

In an emergency, call 911. Your call goes to the dispatcher and the correct emergency authorities are sent to you (fire, Emergency Medical Technicians or EMTs, or the police officer for that jurisdiction). The dispatcher asks you a series of questions to make sure the right resources are sent to help you. Use this number when lives are in danger.  

Here's some important information about making 911 calls:  

• When you dial 911:
1. Stay on the line until they tell you to hang up. They continue to give you directions and instructions.
2. Know your location. Practice saying your address so it is a habit.  
3. If you accidentally dial 911, stay on the line. If you hang up, they call you back to make sure you are ok.
4. Use 911 for emergencies such as fires and accidents or dangerous situations where you need immediate help.  
5. Expect to have a fire truck, ambulance, and police officers arrive.
• You are not charged money for the emergency calls.
• If someone calls for emergency services on your behalf (or for you) you are not charged. Neither are they.
• You do not have to take the ambulance. You have a right to refuse medical help. (But please accept the help!)
• Emergency fire and medical response in Carmel is around five minutes.
• The police come and come quickly when called.
• Call the police to report unusual or suspicious activities.
• Call your gas/power company when you smell gas; not 911. They give you directions to keep you safe that include not turning on lights, leaving your home, etc. and dispatch someone immediately to investigate.  
• Police and emergency services are paid for through local taxes.  
• Here is a solid video about learning and teaching children to make 911 calls (and it helps adults, too).

When you call 911, it is an emergency. It is always good to know your local police phone number for non-emergency calls. 

For example:  Carmel Police Website and non-emergency phone number: (317) 773-1282

Enter your local police numbers (Fishers, Indianapolis, Zionsville, etc.) into your mobile phone, so you can be prepared to call at any time. Be assured that dialing 911 will always get you to the right resource.

There are three ways to contact the local police in a non-emergency: 

1. In Carmel, the Non-Emergency dispatch number is 317-571-2580. Use this number when you see something that might cause a problem for other people; an officer may be needed. If something seems unusual, like a car is circling the neighborhood or there are people walking around your neighbor's home while they are out of town, try to get a description of the people or of the vehicle as well as a license plate number. 
2. The Carmel general office number is 317-571-2500. Call this number if you have general questions about the police or for information.
3. Walk in! You are welcome to walk in to the police office any time to get your questions answered or to report something. 3 Civic Square, Carmel, Indiana 46032.  

There are many opportunities to know more about our police. Check your community police web pages for information including crime watch, neighborhood watch, senior safety, opportunities to ride along in a patrol car, Teen Academies, Citizen Academies and more. The police are here to help.

Here are a few places you can go if you need medical care and want to/are able to drive to the medical centers yourself:  

• Urgent Care: Immediate access to physicians, nurse practitioners, etc. These services are particularly helpful on weekends.  
• Minute Clinic: Urgent Care housed in a CVS. You can book in advance through their website
• IU Health: Urgent care offered in stand alone or hospitals provided by IU Health
• Walgreens
• OrthoIndy Urgent Care: Urgent care seven days a week for orthopedic injuries and treatment. Where was this when my kids played sports?!
• Emergency Room: The department in a hospital that is dedicated to emergency care; because of the unexpected nature of emergencies, all imaginable equipment and staff is powered on and ready to save lives; patients are triaged and cared for in their order of the severity and mortality of their emergency. 
  

Vocabulary words:  

• 911:  when referring to the emergency number say "nine one one." "Nine eleven" refers to the date of the coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda on the United States.  
• dispatch:  send someone.
• dispatcher:  the person who directs resources.  
• local:  specific to your town, city, or county.  
• mortality:  threat to life.  
• on your behalf:  when someone does something for you.  
• solid: reliable
• stay on the line:  don't hang up the phone. The dispatcher can tell what is going on and alert the emergency staff of your situation. They will call you back if you hang up.
• triaged:  classified or sorted.  

Citations/Resources:  

• Carmel Police Website
• CVS Minute Clinic Website
• IU Health Urgent Care Website
• OrthoIndy Urgent Care Website
• Video on Learning and Teaching Others to Make 911 Calls