LaNonda Jernigan, Director of Central Dispatch 731.425.8630

WHAT IS 9-1-1?

9-1-1 is a three-digit telephone number available throughout Madison County that you can dial 24 hours a day for a police, fire or emergency medical response.

HOW TO USE 9-1-1

Remain calm and speak clearly. Be prepared to provide the following information:

• WHAT is happening?
• WHERE is the location?
• What is your NAME?
• What is your PHONE NUMBER?
• Please STAY on the phone to answer further questions and follow instructions given.

WHEN SHOULD YOU USE 9-1-1?

Dial 9-1-1 when life or property is in danger and you need immediate police, fire or medical response.

EXAMPLES OF WHEN TO USE 9-1-1

• Breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, breathing has stopped, unconsciousness, or seizures
• Uncontrollable bleeding or vomiting blood
• Drowning, electrocution, poisoning or major burns
• Structure fire
• Uncontrolled grass fire
• Any in-progress crime
• Possibility of physical harm or property damage occurring

REMEMBER

A quick response depends on the vital information that you provide about what is happening, its location and also how well the residence and driveway is marked.

OTHER HELPFUL HINTS

Instruct your children on the appropriate use of 9-1-1. DO NOT USE 9-1-1 when you can use your telephone directory or the information operator to locate seven-digit non-emergency numbers for routine business calls and inquiries that DO NOT NEED an immediate POLICE, FIRE or MEDICAL RESPONSE. It is the mission of Central Dispatch to satisfy the request for service, as well as the informational needs of the citizens of the corporate limits of Jackson and of Madison County, in the course of their normal daily activities and during emergencies, whether it be Police, Fire, EMS or other City or County services. Central Dispatch's responsibilities include and are not limited to answering normal and emergency telephone calls; obtaining essential information, evaluating the situation and initiating an appropriate response; requesting services from other departments within the City as well as other governmental agencies; coordination, reception and transmission of radio traffic for the Police and Fire department; maintaining the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) data base; data entry and monitoring the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer, National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) and Tennessee Crime Information System (TCIC). Central Dispatch members work for the citizens of Jackson. Members of Central Dispatch are subject to closer scrutiny and criticism than other departments with whom it serves. Due to the type of service, a higher standard of performance must be the rule rather than the exception. In order to accomplish its mission, Central Dispatch must accept the responsibility of its position and obligations to any department in which Central Dispatch is intended to serve. Continued superior performance through devotion to duty is necessary to fulfill assigned responsibilities in a prompt, accurate and courteous manner while maintaining a productive relationship with other City of Jackson departments, as well as other local, state and federal agencies.