What Happens When You Call 911?
Wes Row, Fire Chief
For as long as the Kneeland Fire Protection District has existed, we have responded beyond our District boundaries into a vast “Goodwill” area; from Upper Fickle Hill, down to Butler Valleyand out towards Bridgeville. And, though our response area is large, we are nearly always the first on scene (sometimes the only on scene) and often respond 10 to 30 minutes or more before other responding agencies arrive. These are crucial minutes to better ensure a positive outcome.
From the moment you dial 911 a coordinated effort is initiated to ensure you get the help you need as quickly as possible. When placing an emergency 911 call for help your phone call will be directed to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) which has jurisdiction over the area you’re calling from. Kneeland and the surrounding areas we serve will typically be the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office or CHP. They will initially answer your call asking for the location, type of the emergency, and your call back information in case of a disconnection.
If your stated emergency is fire, medical, or rescue related you will be rapidly transferred to the Fire and Medical Command Center in Fortuna. A dispatcher will then ask a number of questions as to the location, type of emergency, or any other pertinent information that will be necessary to get you the help you need. The dispatcher will also provide information on how to deal with the situation until help arrives, this can include over-the-phone instruction for CPR.
Emergency responders will be provided crucial information through our vehicle mounted tablets in route to your emergency. This will include the nature of what’s going on, latitude and longitude of the incident, and GPS guidance to the location.
If your stated location, cell phone location, or land line address are within the boundaries of the KFPD District, Kneeland Fire will be dispatched to your emergency. Kneeland Fire will also be dispatched outside of the District boundaries in the event we are the closest emergency response.
If you have any further questions regarding dispatching or how we respond to emergencies, please feel free to contact me directly at my email below.
Sincerely,
Wes Row, Fire Chief
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