FAQ - What happens when I dial 9-1-1?
Question: What happens when I dial 9-1-1?
Answer: Only emergency calls should be directed to the 9-1-1 telephone number. If you are calling from a regular (wired) telephone in Foster City, the calls go directly to the Foster City Police Department's 9-1-1 dispatch center. (Many cellular phone providers route calls made within city limits directly to our dispatch center as well) Utilizing state-of-the-art 9-1-1 telephone equipment and our Computer Aided Dispatch system, the caller's address and telephone number immediately appear on the computer screen at the Police Department.
The 9-1-1 Dispatchers are highly trained individuals that are prepared for any emergency situation. These dispatchers need to get specific information from you when you call 9-1-1. This information lets the dispatcher know what kind of response is required to deal with the emergency. (police, fire, paramedics, etc.) We will ask you what happened and where incident is or did occur.
We will ask you if anyone is injured, and if the injured person is in the same location. If the injured person is at a different address we will want to know where they are. We will ask you if you know the people involved in the incident. We will ask you if there are weapons involved. We will ask you for a full description of the people involved in the incident. We will ask you for associated vehicle descriptions. We may ask you to stay on the phone with us until officers arrive.
While we are equipped to answer most cellular 9-1-1 calls made within city limits, your cellular 9-1-1 call may be answered by the California Highway Patrol in Vallejo or another adjoining agency, depending on where your particular vendor routes the incoming call. Rest assured that the 9-1-1 dispatchers who answer your call will transfer you to the appropriate agency after asking many of the same questions listed above.
This FAQ refers to the following subjects:
Services/Public Safety/Police
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