Educate Your Child

Central promotes public awareness and understanding of the communities' emergency response resources, and how to access them, by providing speakers to address community organizations regarding the role and operation of the 9-1-1 Center. Central also develops informational presentations and resources for populations with special needs and maintains relations with such organizations to facilitate access to the 9-1-1 services. Further, we provide informational resources and materials about the 9-1-1 Center to children to instruct them in how and when to make a 9-1-1 call. We have promoted and assisted in the production of news media materials/presentations to explain the 9-1-1 Center to the public.

Please make sure your child knows that they can call 9-1-1 on a cellular telephone, home telephone or pay telephone (for free) at anytime to get help.

Important points to emphasize are:

• 9-1-1 is for emergencies only
• 9-1-1 is the number to call for the police, the fire department, an ambulance, or a poison emergency
• If your child is not sure if it is a true emergency, it is okay to call 9-1-1
• Teach them the address to their home

Remind your child that calling 9-1-1 is a serious matter. Prank calls, calling 9-1-1 and hanging up, or calling 9-1-1 just to practice can prevent someone with a real emergency from getting the help they need.

Below is a downloaded guide you can use to help educate your child.