• The KaneComm 9-1-1 Tip of the Month offers tips that can save your life. Remember that 9-1-1 is for emergencies, potential emergencies or when an emergency is about to happen, such as when you need the police, fire department or an ambulance right away.

Some of the “humorous” 9-1-1 calls we hear on television and online aren’t all that funny. They usually have headlines like “Granny Wants a Beer” or “Burger 9-1-1” and the caller is asking for help that doesn’t have anything to do with emergency services.

These “stupid and wacky” calls might be good for a yuck or two, but the problems they cause are serious. Those calls take responders away from calls that matter, and following up on bad 9-1-1 calls costs all of us in terms of tax dollars and response times. It is estimated that 35 percent of all 911 calls are illegitimate pranks, hangups or non-emergencies.

So when we asked KaneComm 9-1-1 telecommunicators  to let us know the top tips to keep residents safe, it’s not surprising that this one rises to the top.

Tip of the Month: Only Dial 9-1-1 in an Emergency Situation.

An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, sheriff, the fire department or an ambulance. If you are ever in doubt of whether a situation is an emergency you should call 9-1-1. It’s better to be safe and let the 9-1-1 call taker determine if you need emergency assistance.

Examples of When to Call 9-1-1

• Heart attack or stroke
• House fire
• Domestic violence
• Burglary or theft in progress
• Car accident with life-threatening injuries
• Suspicious activities
• Anything else that seems like an emergency!

Examples of When NOT to Call 9-1-1

• When looking for telephone numbers or addresses. Contact directory assistance or 4-1-1, not 9-1-1
• When the power is out. Contact the electric service provider to report an outage. 9-1-1 does not have information from the electric companies as to when your power will be restored.
• When your cable TV or Internet Service is out. Call your local service provider.
• To report a broken fire hydrant. Call your local city or village public works department.
• When your water pipes burst. Call a plumber for the repair.
• To get a ride for doctor’s appointment. Unless you have a medical emergency and an ambulance is needed, contact a friend, neighbor or taxi cab.
• For paying parking or ordinance tickets. Contact the police agency that issued the ticket directly during business hours.
• For your pet. If your pet is experiencing a medical issue or you have a question about your pet, contact a veterinary clinic.

Never Prank Call 9-1-1

It’s a prank call when someone calls 9-1-1 for a joke, or calls 9-1-1 and hangs up. If 9-1-1 lines or call takers are busy with prank calls, someone with a real emergency may not be able to get the help they need. In most places, it’s against the law to make prank 9-1-1 calls.

About KaneComm

Kane County Emergency Communications (KaneComm) is a multi-jurisdictional dispatch center responsible for the deployment of several police, fire, and medical agencies located within Kane County. KaneComm personnel are tasked with all of the incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance from citizens residing in these jurisdictions. Subscribers to KaneComm include the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, police departments from Wayne, Gilberts, Hampshire, Maple Park, Pingree Grove, Campton Hills, Fox Valley Park District, Kane County Forest Preserve District and South Elgin, and the fire districts of Burlington, Hampshire, Maple Park, Pingree Grove, Fox River, Big Rock and Kaneville. For more information, visit the KaneComm web page.

Other 9-1-1 Agencies in Kane County

• TRI COM CENTRAL, dispatches for:
  • St. Charles Police/Fire/Emergency Medical Services
  • Geneva Police/Fire/Emergency Medical Services
  • Batavia Police/Fire/Emergency Medical Services
  • Elburn Police/Fire/Emergency Medical Services
  • Sugar Grove Police/Fire/Emergency Medical Services
  • Waubonsee Cadets
  • North Aurora Fire/Emergency Medical Services

• AURORA CENTRAL dispatches for:
  • Aurora Police/Fire/Emergency Medical Services
  • North Aurora Police

• QUAD COM, dispatches for:
  • Carpentersville Police/Fire/Emergency Medical Services
  • West Dundee Police/Fire/Emergency Medical Services
  • East Dundee Police/Fire/Emergency Medical Services
  • Sleepy Hollow Police
  • South Barrington Police
  • Rutland Fire/Emergency Medical Services
  • Barrington Hills Police

• ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, dispatches for:
  • Elgin Police/Fire/Emergency Medical Services
  • South Elgin Fire/Emergency Medical Services

Read the Series

• Provide Your Location, Location, Location
• Don’t Hang Up! Even If You Call By Mistake
• 9-1-1 Tip: Don’t Let Kids Play With Cell Phones