Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

9-1-1 Goes On Line; Utilized During Storm

Saturday's killer tornadoes show the importance of the 9-1-1 emergency telephone system.

When the twisters hit, people were able to call 9-1-1 and report the damage, until the Clark County Sheriff's Office was damaged.

Still, though, it is an important service to people in Clark County.

Up until the tornadoes hit, Clark County Sheriff Troy Tucker said the 9-1-1 system had been working smoothly and there were no problems.

There had been, he said, some prank calls and hang ups, but these people were notified it is illegal and there's is a $250 fine for making false 9-1-1 calls.

Tucker said anytime someone's life is in danger to make use of the emergency phone system. He said 9-1-1 calls should be made when there is an auto accident or a fire.

Otherwise, the sheriff said, people should call the department's non-emergency number, 246-2222.

Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith reminds citizens of this south Clark County city the 9-1-1 system is for them as well.

He also stressed this is for emergency use only and not a toy. For non-emergency situations, he said, use the normal phone numbers.

Clark County's 9-1-1 emergency telephone system is not like the television program hosted by William Shatner. Officials said there will be no medical advice given through this system.

The county's 9-1-1 system went on-line Friday, Feb. 7, with Clark County Judge Grady Runyan making the first official call.

Tucker said it is important all homeowners have their 9-1-1 addresses displayed in letters at least three-inches tall so emergency personnel can find their homes.

He said emergency workers need to be able to see addresses from the street or road, but a lot of homes don't have their addresses displayed.

Tucker and Smith said it is important to teach children the proper use for calling 9-1-1, making sure they know only to use it when someone's life is in danger, or there is a fire.

They said never call the emergency number as a joke, to get information, or to see how it works.

Tucker said all calls made to 9-1-1 will get a response. This ties up emergency personnel and could cost someone their life if a prank is being pulled.

The system, he said, shows the address where the call originates, even if the person on the other end hangs up. "We know where calls are coming from," Tucker said, "and will follow up on them. If there's a hang up, we call back and verify. All 9-1-1 calls get a response."

It should be noted, fake calls can wind up with the caller getting a ticket on the scene, and could result in jail time for those who are slow learners.

The 9-1-1 system was supposed to go in effect by Thanksgiving, 1996, but delays prevented this from occurring.

Officials also urge people not to put 9-1-1 on their speed dialers, but to dial the number manually when needed. This will prevent accidental calls to the CCSO.