Mesquite, TX – April 15, 2021 – The City of Mesquite has joined millions of their peers across the country to celebrate April as National 9-1-1 Education Month and support the City’s 9-1-1 Dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, April 11 – 17.
Mesquite Police Department (MPD) Lieutenant Stephen Biggs said, "For nearly five decades, 9-1-1 has served as the vital link between the American public and emergency services. Public education and awareness initiatives have contributed in large measure to this incredible success. After an unprecedented and trying 2020, we would like to honor our 9-1-1 dispatchers, who like so many others have gone above and beyond during the pandemic.”
9-1-1 is nationally recognized as the number to call in an emergency to receive immediate help from police, fire, emergency medical services or other appropriate emergency response entities. An estimated 240 million calls are made to 9-1-1 in the U.S. each year. In Mesquite, the dispatch center received more than 350,000 calls in 2020.
The City is using this opportunity to offer a few tips for residents of all ages to keep in mind when calling 9-1-1:
9-1-1 is for police, fire and medical emergencies only. Non-emergency calls should be directed to the non-emergency phone number at 972-285-6336. To report a non-emergency crime, you can also email the MPD at pio@mesquitepolice.org.
- Details are critical. Stay on the line with the 9-1-1 operator and answer all the questions they ask. Provide an accurate location, if you do not know the exact address, provide the call taker with all the details that you can. Look for landmarks, cross streets, signs, and buildings. First responders need an accurate location to respond as fast as possible.
- Try to stay calm and speak clearly.
- Don’t hang up when calling 9-1-1. If you called by mistake, let the operator know.
- DO NOT call 9-1-1 for jokes or prank calls.
