City of Pullman

• You see smoke or fire
• Life or property are in immediate danger
• A crime is being committed
• Rescue or emergency medical assistance is needed

The 9-1-1 call taker must ask many questions in order to provide public safety responders with an accurate explanation of your situation. Please be patient and ensure that you answer all questions as quickly and as clearly as possible.

• Stay Calm
• Remember to Breathe
• Speak Clearly
• State the Problem
• Listen Carefully to Questions & Instructions
• Be Prepared to Provide Information

Unsure whether your situation is an emergency? Always err on the side of caution. Call 9-1-1 and let trained personnel determine how the call should be handled.

What to Expect
Call takers will ask for the following information during your call:

• WHERE:  Where are you and where did the incident take place? 
  • This information is especially important in case the phone call is interrupted for any reason. 
  • It is important to provide building names or numbers, apartment or condominium names, and unit or suite numbers as applicable.
  • Be specific. Avoid using "left" or "right" as directions. Instead, use cardinal directions  (north, south, east, west) , or provide directions in relation to landmarks. The best location information includes specific street address, or cross-street information.
• WHAT: What is the nature of your emergency?
  • Use real language, no slang or lingo, to describe what is happening, or has happened.
  • Be sure to include information about injuries, if any. 
• WHEN: When did the emergency occur?
  • Let dispatchers know if your call is related to an ongoing issue.
• WHO: Who or what is involved?
  • How many people are involved?
  • Include descriptive information as needed. (Race, sex, height, weight, clothing description, hair color, facial hair, eyeglasses, accessories, distinguishing marks, etc.)
  • Be sure to let the dispatcher know if weapons are involved, and if so, what kind. 
  • If reporting a criminal or traffic violation, you may be asked to provide additional information about the offending person/vehicle, including:  color, make, model, license plate number, number of doors, and direction of travel.

Do not call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency number to find out about street closures, weather, laws, or local regulations. 

Can I call 9-1-1 from my cellular phone?
If you dial 9-1-1 from a cellular phone, dispatchers will not know your exact location. You will need to provide location information in order for units to respond. 

Reporting over a cellular phone may present challenges due to static or interference. Please be patient and understanding if the dispatcher asks the same questions more than once.

When you dial 9-1-1 from a cellular phone, your call will be routed automatically to the 9-1-1 dispatch center closest to the cellular site that you are using. In some cases, your call may need to be transferred to the correct communications center for your location. Should this occur, please be patient. We will handle your call as quickly as possible.

What if I am hearing impaired?
Each 9-1-1 station in the WHITCOM communications center is equipped with TTY capabilities. To access TTY or TDD, press the space bar until a response is received.

What if I don't speak English?
9-1-1 allows emergency calls to be transferred to an interpreter. Interpretation is accessible from every telephone. Simply call 9-1-1 and state the language that is required for the call.

What if I dial 9-1-1 by mistake?
DO NOT HANG UP!

Tell the dispatcher that you dialed 9-1-1 by mistake, and that you do not need emergency assistance. Any time that a dispatcher receives a 9-1-1 hang-up call, the caller must be contacted to ensure that no actual emergency exists.

If your accidental 9-1-1 call is made using a business phone with several telephone lines, it may be impossible for the dispatcher to determine who, if anyone, needs help. This requires an officer to be dispatched to the address to confirm that no emergency exists. 

How do I become a 9-1-1 operator?
Becoming a 9-1-1 operator is an exciting and rewarding career choice! WHITCOM 9-1-1 offers on-the-job training, which means that no formal training is required prior to submitting your application. To view current opportunities, please visit the City of Pullman Career Portal. 

Non-Emergency Reporting: (509) 332-2521
Interpretive services are available. Simply call and state the language that is required.

Unless you need an immediate response from law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical personnel, reports may be made to the non-emergency number above. By using this number, you help to keep 9-1-1 lines available for those experiencing true emergencies.

When to Call
The following are examples of non-emergent situations: 

• Your house or car was broken into yesterday
• A runaway child has returned home
• Additional items need to be added to a previously filed burglary report
• Your car was stolen sometime overnight
• There is an abandoned vehicle on your street

Do not call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency number to find out about street closures, weather, laws, or local regulations. 

• When talking to your child, never say "nine-eleven". There is no "11" on a keypad. Always say "nine-one-one".
• Teach children to report emergencies from a safe place. If they are in immediate danger (such as inside of a burning house), they should reach safety before calling for help.
• Make sure that your child knows his/her own name (first and last), as well as yours.
• Practice your full address (including building name and unit number) and telephone number. Post this information in an accessible location. 
• Help your child learn to give basic directions to your home, from the nearest main road, intersection, or major landmark.