Call 9-1-1 anytime you have an EMERGENCY when police, fire or medical response is required immediately. Examples of 9-1-1 emergencies include fire, crimes in progress or that just occurred, or a medical crisis. A good rule of thumb is – when life or property is threatened or at immediate risk, or if there is a good chance that a criminal can be apprehended, call 9-1-1. If you are unsure how serious an incident is, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1. Assistance will be dispatched to the most critical calls first.
Check out this quick facts sheet “When Calling 9-1-1.”Call precedence from highest to lowest:
- Threat to life
- Threat to property/property damage
- General Assistance
If in doubt, call 9-1-1. Better to be safe than sorry.
Never call 9-1-1 and hang up. If you accidentally dial 9-1-1, do not hang up. Let the call taker know that you accidentally called. Otherwise, the call taker will attempt to call you back, and if unable to reach you, will trace the call (if necessary) and dispatch police to the location in an attempt to identify the emergency. This ensures that a caller who is incapacitated or unable to communicate with the call taker can receive help.
Contact Clark PUD Powerline at 360-992-8000 for questions relating to or to report power outages.
To learn more about how we serve you, please explore our web site. If you have additional questions you may email us at cresa@clark.wa.gov.
What to Expect
Remain calm and speak clearly. Provide the dispatcher with the following information.
- What is happening?
- Where is the location?
- What is your name, address and phone number?
While we ask these questions, we are entering the information into a computerized dispatch system. Other dispatchers can see that information and send help to you while we are still talking to you on the phone. Answering questions DOES NOT delay response. We will often keep you on the phone and obtain more information to give the responders. For example, it often helps the paramedics on the ambulance to know what kind of medication the patient takes every day. The patient might have a breathing problem that is unrelated to the medication, but that information will improve the quality of the care paramedics can provide. Please remain on the telephone to provide additional information as requested by the dispatcher. DO NOT HANG UP until the dispatcher advises you to do so.
Answers to Questions You May Have:
Question: If I have a problem after hours that is not an emergency, is there another number I can call beside 9-1-1?
Question: I called 9-1-1 and they asked me if I had an “in progress” emergency. I said “no” and they put me on hold for a long time. Why did I have to wait?
Question: I called 9-1-1 for an ambulance and I got a fire truck and an ambulance. Why did you send me a fire truck too?
3-1-1 Non Emergency Law Enforcement Number
Community members can call 311 or 360-693-3111 to reach the same 911 dispatchers regarding non -emergent law enforcement calls. This line will help prioritize incoming calls at the 911 center and keep 911 open for emergencies.
When you call 311 you may be placed on hold or you may be placed in a queue. You may hear a recorded message with information about alternative numbers or resources you may use instead of waiting for a dispatcher. CRESA is busy place, serving as both the 911 answering point for all of incorporated and unincorporated Clark County and is also the dispatch center for local law enforcement and fire / EMS responders. Please be patient, as the same people answering 911 emergency calls and dispatching responders are the same people answering 311.
A few guidelines to follow when you decide if you want to call 911 versus 311:
- Always use 911 for any fire and medical call, no matter how minor you think the medical complaint is
- Call 911 if your police complaints involves a gun, is a crime happening now, or a situation that needs police to prevent or stop an injury or property damage
- 311 is the alternate number to report non-emergency law enforcement related complaints
If you are unsure, call 911 and we will get you the right help or refer you to the right resource. More Information can be found here.