BARTOW - (July 9, 2009) – Dialing 9-1-1 saves time and lives – in an emergency, always dial 9-1-1 first. The minute an emergency situation presents itself, it is imperative the appropriate help be dispatched immediately.
Racing to the closest police, fire or Emergency Medical Service (EMS) station may sometimes seem like the most logical choice for aid. However, Polk County Fire Rescue’s 22 fully staffed fire stations and Polk County EMS’s 22 ambulance stations are spread throughout the county, serving more than half a million residents. This means the chances of them being in their station when you arrive are very slim.
Don’t waste precious life-saving minutes. Dial 9-1-1; the person who answers your call is a trained operator. They will ask you questions to determine what kind of help you need – fire, police, or medical. Be prepared to state the nature of the emergency, and please answer all the questions. Answering questions does not delay response. As they ask their questions, remain calm and keep your answers as short and direct as possible.
In an emergency, it is always best to dial 9-1-1 instead of running to the nearest police, fire or EMS station for help. There is never a guarantee that emergency crews will be at the station when you arrive. Precious life-saving moments could be lost by delaying the 9-1-1 call.
For more information on Polk County Fire Rescue or Polk County EMS, visit www.polk-county.net.
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