Full Notification

Everybody knows that when there is an emergency you call 911, but we have found that a lot of people don’t know which number to call when your situation isn’t quite to the level of an emergency. The Amarillo Emergency Communications Center handles all emergency and non-emergency calls inside of the city. They answer phones for 911, police, fire, and medical services. The 24 hour non-emergency number to reach any of these services is 378-3038. We have included some scenarios below to give everyone a better idea of when and when not to call 911. However, if you are ever in a situation and cannot remember the non-emergency number don’t hesitate to call 911.
 
When to call 911

Don’t hesitate to dial 911 if:

1. A fire breaks out. Any fire, even a tiny grease fire in your kitchen merits a 911 call. A fire can grow and spread rapidly, so call right away even if you think you can put out the flames on your own.

2. A medical emergency happens. Call 911 immediately for any life-threatening medical problem. These include chest pain, choking, difficulty speaking, drowning, numbness, poisoning, sudden intense pain, severe burns, a suicide threat and other serious medical problems.

3. You witness a crime or possible crime. If you see an assault, a burglary or even a suspicious person lurking, call 911. It’s better to call for help now than to have police show up later to ask if you saw anything because they’re investigating a break-in up the street. If you call, an officer might catch the criminal in the act and foil the crime.

4. If you’re in or you see a car crash with injuries, Call 911. For a fender bender where you’re 100 percent sure everyone is OK, you can call the non emergency.

When to call the Non-Emergency number

There is no reason to call 911 for any situation that’s clearly not an emergency:

You aren’t sure if the incident is a crime
A loud party or barking dog
A power outage
Burst water pipes
To ask about paying a citation
You have cold or flu symptoms
Someone has a minor cut
Minor vehicle accidents

If you have to call 911, here are some pointers:

1. Know your location. “Where is your emergency?” is the first question dispatchers ask because location is the top piece of information they need to send you help. That’s especially important if you’re calling from your cell phone because the dispatcher might not be able to pinpoint exactly where you’re calling from. If you don’t know where you are, look for buildings, landmarks and street signs that you can give to the dispatcher.
 
2. Answer the dispatcher’s questions. Dispatchers ask a lot of questions, but they have important reasons for each one. Your answers help the dispatcher determine what kind of help you need, and how much.
 
3. Follow instructions. The dispatcher is trained to help keep you safe and explain how to do first aid while help is on the way. For example, he/she can instruct you on how to do CPR, walk you through the Heimlich maneuver to help a choking victim or tell you how to stop bleeding.
 
Street Light Questions
 
Another issue that has been brought to our attention is that the general public does not know who to contact when they notice a street light out. Most of the street lights in Amarillo are maintained by Xcel Energy, but calls to get these replaced can be made through the City of Amarillo Traffic Engineering Department at 378-6296. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
 
APD Crime Prevention Unit
 
The Amarillo Police Department Crime Prevention Unit is staffed by Sergeant Brent Barbee, Corporal Sean Slover and Officer Jeb Hilton. The Crime Prevention Unit provides information for and about the Amarillo Police Department to the news media and the general public. Public Education concerning crime issues is an important part of the police department’s overall response to the community. A properly informed citizen will find it much easier to reduce his or her risk of becoming a victim of a crime. Public safety presentations cover a wide variety of topics and can be tailored to the needs of your group. The following is a partial list of safety and crime related presentations available: Women’s Personal Safety/Sexual Assault Awareness, Scam and Fraud Prevention, Workplace Violence Prevention, and Crime Prevention for you business or home. We urge anyone to call with presentation needs that are not included in this list. The Crime Prevention Unit can be reached at 378-4257.