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Prank Calls & Hang Up Calls
Prank calls hurt everyone! When
a dispatcher and response units are tied up responding to pranks calls, they are unavailable for real calls. According
to Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-16-502, it is a Class E felony to intentionally initiate a false emergency report,
knowing the same is false and knowing that a response will be made. The City of Bristol Tennessee also passed an ordinance
in February 1995 prohibiting false calls. (See below) We will seek prosecution of prank callers.
If you dial 911 by mistake, PLEASE DO NOT HANG UP. When
the 911 dispatcher answers the phone, explain that the number was dialed in error. We attempt to contact all hang up
callers by phone and an officer will be dispatched to check the welfare.
Prank & False Calls
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What to do if you cannot speak...
If you have an emergency but are unable to speak, either because of a medical problem or because someone
is threatening you, DIAL 911, and when the dispatcher answers,
tap on the phone. This indicates to the dispatcher that you are not able to speak but need help. The 911 dispatcher
will ask you questions and tell you to tap once for yes and twice for no. If you are calling from a regular phone, the
911 should have received your location information and will send help. If you are calling from a cell phone, as estimated
location is received and help will be sent. Stay on the phone until the 911 dispatcher instructs you to hang up or for
as long as it is safe to do so.
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NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING 911 CALLS
We
have a wide variety of nationalities living and visiting our area and we want to ensure they are able to receive help when
needed, even if they speak another language. Recently, we have subscribed to Open Communications, Inc, a company providing
911 Centers and other emergency providers translation services. Open Communications offers us the ability to
take a call from a non-English speaking caller and immediately conference in with their 24 hour facility. The operators
at Open Communications will identify the language of the caller and offer immediate translation services.
Over the past few months, we have utilized Open Communications, Inc. on several occasions and were extremely pleased
with the immediate translations. Our Center is now very successful in providing 911 emergency services to our foreign
speaking residents and visitors.
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