Know When to Call 911: Helping First Responders Help You

Calling 911 is for life-threatening emergencies — but sometimes, people just aren’t sure when it’s the right time to make the call. Understanding when and how to report an emergency helps responders act quickly and keeps the lines open for those who truly need urgent help.

Call 911 if you experience or witness:

• A fire (home, car, brush, or structure)
  
• A serious medical emergency (chest pain, unconsciousness, severe injury)
  
• A vehicle crash with injuries
  
• A gas leak, explosion, or other dangerous situation
  
• Any life-threatening event
  

Do not call 911 for:

• Non-emergency medical questions
  
• Burning permits or outdoor fire guidelines
  
• Utility outages
  
• Traffic complaints (unless someone is in danger)
  

Instead, contact your local fire department or township office directly for non-emergency concerns. Knowing the difference saves time — and lives.