The 911 number was intended to be an easy-to-remember, no-coin method of reaching the correct law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies.

Enhanced 911
Galion has an enhanced 911 system which adds the ability to display the caller's address and telephone number at the public safety answering point (PSAP) where special computers and monitors display the location and phone number where the 911 call originated. The caller does not have to speak in order for the dispatcher to know the address. A 911 display will give the phone number of the caller, the address of the caller, an apartment or lot number, if necessary, and the name of the telephone service subscriber.

911 Rules You Need To Know

• Dial 911 only for an emergency.
• An emergency is:
  • Any serious medical problem (chest pain, seizure, bleeding)
  • Any type of fire (business, car, building)
  • Any life threatening situation (fights, person with weapons, etc.)
  • Any crime in progress (whether or not a life is threatened)
• Dial 419-468-9111 for non-emergencies.
• Non-emergency incidents include "cold" (not in progress) break-ins to vehicles, theft of property or vandalism. You should also use the non-emergency telephone number for intoxicated persons who are not disorderly, cars blocking the street or driveway, or non-injury auto accidents.

Do Not

• Do not program '911' into your telephone's speed dial.
  • You won't forget the number, and programming the number invites accidental dialing.
• Do not dial 911 to "test" your phone or the 911 system.
  • This needlessly burdens the dispatchers and system with non-emergency calls.
• If you dialed 911 in error, do not hang up the telephone.
  • Stay on the phone and explain to the dispatcher that you dialed by mistake and that you do not have an emergency.
• When the dispatcher answers, briefly describe the type of incident you are reporting.
  • For example, "I'm reporting an auto fire," or "I'm reporting a shoplifter." Then stay on the line with the dispatcher, do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you. In some cases, the dispatcher will keep you on the line while the emergency units are responding to ask additional questions or to obtain ongoing information.
• Let the call-taker ask you questions.
  • Dispatchers have been trained to ask questions that will prioritize the incident, locate it and dispatch an appropriate response. Your answers should be brief and responsive. Remain calm and speak clearly. If you are not in a position to give full answers to the call-taker (the suspect is nearby), stay on the phone and the dispatcher will ask you questions that can be answered "yes" or "no."

Misconception
Most people think that when they dial 911 that it goes into a "Nationwide 911 Center" in Omaha, Nebraska. In fact, when you dial 911, the call goes to your local public safety answering point, which is your local police agency. In Galion, your call goes to the Galion Municipal Building.

This call is answered by communications personnel and the proper Police, Fire or EMS personnel are sent. If the call is for another jurisdiction, it is transferred. If the call is unable to go through for some reason (cable cut or computer problems) it is automatically transferred to another agency that will answer the call.

Local Statistics

Year	911 Calls	Total Calls
2007	1,194	9,424
2008	1,106	9,539

Further Information
For information about the City of Galion Police Communications Center, 911 system, or the provided services, please contact Ken Siegenthal at 419-468-5255.