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Emergency Communications
Tips to Help Us Better Serve You
1. ADDRESSES
· Please post your address on BOTH sides of your mailbox and/or post and on your home or business.
· When giving your address give house number, street name and city (post office box is not acceptable)
· Be aware of your surroundings when traveling so you can give accurate location information if you have an emergency
2. CELL PHONES – NOT ALL WIRELESS 9-1-1 CALLS PROVIDE LOCATION INFORMATION
· Be able to give address or location. (landmarks – stores, churches, schools, etc)
· DO NOT give your children your old cell phones to play with (unless the battery is removed the phone still has the ability to dial 911)
· If using a cell phone without a service contract, you MUST provide location information
3. CALLING 9-1-1 Click on link below to get more detailed information:
· DO call if you have an emergency
· DO NOT call if you need general information
· If you accidentally call 9-1-1, please stay on line and advise the dispatcher it was a false call
· If possible, have an adult call for help
· Children need to be aware of their address and phone number and how to call 9-1-1 in an emergency
4. TO GET HELP QUICKLY, PLEASE BE READY TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:
· Where is the emergency? address of emergency, use street name, direction of travel, intersection, landmark, etc
· What is your emergency? Do you need EMS, fire, or law enforcement. Clearly describe what has/is taking place
· What is the telephone number you are calling from? This helps us if your phone call is disconnected or we may need to call back to determine better directions or more information for the responders
· Who is calling? Provide your name for record purposes
5. Call 4-1-1 for information and/or phone numbers for other offices or businesses.
Mission Statement
To provide an effective and efficient communications link between the citizens of Franklin County and the Public Safety agencies charged with the saving of lives and/or property and prevention or easing of human suffering.
Vision Statement
To be a 9-1-1 Center that provides a professional work force capable of preventing and/or minimizing harmful effects to persons or property with the optimum utilization of available resources.
Overview
Franklin County is one of the largest counties in the state of Virginia covering almost 728 square miles. We provide many services to the 52,000+ citizens of this county including Enhanced 911, and the dispatching of fire, rescue and police and other services to emergencies around the clock. We are located in a state of the art communications center.
We take calls and dispatch for the Sheriff’s Office, Rocky Mount, Ferrum College and Boones Mill Town Police Departments, 14 Fire Departments, 14 Rescue Squads, the Virginia Dept. of Forestry, and Animal Control. We also assist the State Conservation Officers (Game Wardens), ABC Agents and the Virginia State Police.
Our center is staffed 24 hours a day, with a minimum of 2 dispatchers on duty. We utilize state of the art Computer Aided Dispatch software, computerized radio consoles, enhanced 9-1-1 telephone equipment, and the latest in weather tracking devices to ensure a quick and reliable response to the emergencies that are encountered.