Emergency Protocols and Procedures
It is important for you to understand how to call for help in a serious or life-threatening situation. In most of Canada, the telephone number is 9-1-1. This number will be answered by an emergency call-taker who will ask you the nature of your emergency and direct your call to the appropriate local emergency service.
For instance, if you are assisting someone who has fallen and cannot get up due to a possible broken leg, you would call 9-1-1. When the call is answered by the emergency call-taker, you will need to describe the situation and the call-taker will direct your call to the ambulance service – British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS), who would then keep you on the line and ask further questions while the ambulance is on-route to your incident.
It is very important that you know how to call for help in emergencies.
9-1-1 Protocol
- Call 9-1-1 if you have an emergency that requires immediate action from the Police, Fire or Ambulance, if someone’s health, safety, or property is in jeopardy or if a crime is in progress.
- Know your location at all times.
- Do not program 9-1-1 into your phone.
- If you call 9-1-1 accidentally, stay on the line with the call-taker.
Important things to know about 9-1-1
- Police, ambulance, or fire? That is the first question asked by the dispatcher (operator) so that the appropriate emergency response is dispatched.
- In a stressful situation it can be difficult to think in English. Tell the dispatcher (operator) what language you speak in English (e.g. “I speak Spanish/Mandarin/Punjabi…”). 9-1-1 dispatchers have access to 140 languages to ensure that in an emergency people can get the help they need.
- Calling 9-1-1 from a pay phone is free.
- When calling from a cell phone you must tell them your location – city, province, and specific location either the address, building, or street location (e.g. “I am in New Westminster, British Columbia at the Moody Park Arena”).