9-1-1

Owen Sound is a 9-1-1 Community.

Calling 9-1-1

When to call 911

Call 9-1-1 for any life threatening emergencies:

Any fire
All structural and building fires
Any vehicle fire
Vehicle accidents where injuries occur
Smoke detectors sounding an alarm
Carbon monoxide detectors sounding an alarm
Any type of water or ice rescue
Rescue situations
Electrocutions
Head Trauma
Unconscious victim
High angle rescue
Absence of vital signs in the victim
Hazardous spills

Using 9-1-1 in Owen Sound and area

The 9-1-1 emergency telephone system is located in the Owen Sound Police headquarters to assist citizens with Police, Fire or Ambulance Emergencies. For non-emergency fire inquiries, please call 519-376-2512 during normal business hours.

The City of Owen Sound and County of Grey

What to expect and what you need to know when you call 9-1-1:

A dispatcher will receive your call and ask if your emergency is for "Police, Fire, or Ambulance".
When you identify your call as a Fire emergency, the dispatcher will automatically page the Fire Department.
Stay on the line--the dispatcher will ask you more questions:
- What is the emergency?
- What is the location of the emergency?
- Who needs the help?
- Is anyone trapped?
- Is anyone still in the building?

Remain calm and give direct answers to all questions. Speak slowly and clearly. Remember: All questions are important! The dispatcher needs this information to deal quickly and effectively with the emergency.

Additional things to know about 9-1-1

The dispatcher will electronically receive the address and telephone number of the telephone you are calling from.
It is very important to tell the dispatcher if you are calling from a different address than the scene of the emergency.
If you are unable to speak or to continue the conversation, the rescue teams will come to the address where the call originated.
Check with your local phone company to make sure your address is listed correctly in case your phone has to be used to call 9-1-1.
There is no charge to use 9-1-1. It can be dialed from a pay phone without inserting a coin.

When Using Your Cell Phone to Call 9-1-1:

Your location does NOT show up on the dispatcher's screen when using your cell phone to call 9-1-1. Be prepared to tell the dispatcher the exact location of the fire.
Cell phone calls go to your local cell phone tower which may not be in the same area from where you are calling. When the operator answers your call, listen carefully and make sure you are calling the dispatcher you need. If not, let the dispatcher know IMMEDIATELY where you need assistance.

Do NOT Call 9-1-1 If:

You lose power. Call the electric power company; look under Hydro One in the Owen Sound phone book.
It is not an emergency. Barking dogs, a vehicle parked in a no parking zone, vandalism where no suspect is visible and road closures are NOT emergencies.

9-1-1 in Your Home

On a small piece of paper, write out your address and firmly attach it to the wall above your phone or tape it in a visible location on the phone itself. This way, it is easier to give or verify your address if you or your child become nervous or frightened and forget it.
Teach your children how to use 9-1-1 and have them memorize their address and phone number. Do not refer to 9-1-1 as 9-11 as children may become confused when they are unable to find the number "11" on the keyboard during an emergency.
Do not program 9-1-1 into your phone as this increases the chance of the number being dialed by mistake. The three digits are easy to remember.
If you do dial 9-1-1 by mistake, stay on the line and inform the dispatcher that it IS a mistake. Otherwise, the dispatcher needs to phone back to confirm there is an emergency. If the dispatcher receives no answer or the voice mail/answering machine picks up, an emergency crew will be sent out and could be diverted from an actual emergency. There is no penalty for calling 9-1-1 by mistake.