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Emergency Communications (911) FAQ

List of frequently asked questions (FAQ) for Emergency Communications (911).

How do I contact my local fire department?

You can contact your local fire department at:

Baldwin City Fire Department

  • 610 High Street, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006
  • Phone: 785-594-3678

Clinton Township Fire Department

  • 1177 E. 604 Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66047

Eudora Fire Department

  • 930 Main Street, Eudora, Kansas 66025
  • Phone: 785-542-3653

Eudora Township Fire Department

  • 310 E. 20th Street, Eudora, Kansas 66025
  • Phone: 785-542-2800

Kanwaka Township Fire Department

  • 548 N. 1700 Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66049
  • Phone: 785-887-6511

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical Services

  • 1911 Stewart Avenue, Lawrence, Kansas 66046
  • Phone: 785-830-7000

Lecompton FIRE/EMS – Station #1

  • 415 Boone / P. O. Box 154, Lecompton, Kansas 66050
  • Phone: 785-887-6221

Lecompton FIRE/EMS – Station #2

  • 114 US 40 – Big Springs / P. O. Box 154, Lecompton, Kansas 66050
  • Phone: 785-887-6991

Lecompton FIRE/EMS - Station #3

  • 847 N1800 Road / P. O. Box 154, Lecompton, Kansas 66050
  • Phone: 785-887-3938

Osage County Fire District #4

  • 403 Maple Street, Overbrook, Kansas 66524
  • Phone: 785-665-7949

Palmyra Township Fire

  • 790 E. 1800 Road, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006
  • Phone: 785-594-6944

Wakarusa Township Fire – Station #1

  • Phone: 785-843-2226
  • 300 W. 31st Street/P.O. Box 3809, Lawrence, Kansas 66046

Wakarusa Township Fire - Station #2

  • 1230 N. 1800 Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66049
  • Phone: 785-830-8900

Willow Springs Township Fire Department

  • 303 E. 1100 Road, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006
  • Phone: 785-594-6686
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How do I contact police/court for issues such as parking tickets, traffic tickets, city warrants, towed automobiles, accident reports, animal pickup?

For these issues, you can contact your local Police Department or the City of Lawrence's Municipal Court/City Prosecutor at:

Baldwin City Police Department

Eudora Police Department

Lawrence Police Department

Lawrence Municipal Court

University of Kansas Police Department

  • Address: 1246 W. Campus Road/302 Carruth O'Leary, Lawrence, Kansas 66045
  • Main Phone: 785-864-5900
  • KU Crime Stoppers Phone: 785-864-8888
  • Website: https://publicsafety.ku.edu/
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If I call 911, what will they ask me?

1) What is the location of the emergency? This is the address where the emergency is actually happening. If you do not know the actual address, tell the dispatcher. They may ask the following:

  • Cross streets or a "hundred block".
  • Provide landmarks, business names or parks near the emergency.
  • Look at the house numbers in the area.
  • If you are calling from inside a home or business, look on a piece of mail.

2) When asked for a location, we need you to be specific.

Also, if the suspect just left (such as a theft suspect), we need to know which way that suspect went and a description of how he looked.

3) If you are asked to describe a subject / suspect, start with the most obvious things.

Some examples are:

  • Race factor of the subject or suspect.
  • Does he/she have a weapon?
  • How tall is he/she?
  • Approximately how much does the subject weigh?
  • Approximate age of subject/suspect?
  • What type of clothing is he/she wearing?
  • Do you know the subject/suspect or ever seen them before?

4) If you describe a vehicle, include:

  • License plate information, including the state.
  • Color of the vehicle
  • Year. (If unknown, tell the dispatcher if it was a new or old vehicle.)
  • Make. (Was it a Honda, Nissan, or Ford?)
  • Body style. (Was it a 4-door? Hatchback? Pick-up truck? 2-door?)
  • Other things you may remember. (dents, etc.)

5) What is the phone number you're calling from?

This is the number to the phone you're actually calling from. We need this in case we have to call you back.

6) What is the problem?

Tell us exactly what happened. Be as concise as possible. Tell us what the problem is now, not what led up to the problem.

  • "I see a fight on the corner of 6th and Main."
  • "I am fighting with my husband."
  • "There is a car accident Northbound on 19th Iowa St.

We also need to know if you are going to be at, or near, the scene when we arrive because the police may need to talk to you, or you may need to point out the exact location. We may ask you what kind of car you are in, or what color clothing you are wearing. 
 

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If I call to report a fire, what should I tell the dispatcher?

You should be prepared to answer questions like these:

  • Where is the fire?
  • What is on fire?
  • How large is the fire?
  • Are any structures threatened? Are there flames moving close to any homes, buildings or gas tanks?
  • Do you know if anyone is inside the housing or building?
  • Do you know if anyone is hurt?

While you are answering these questions, the dispatcher is also alerting the appropriate fire stations or another co-worker is alerting the appropriate fire stations and getting help on the way. 
 

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What if I call 911 accidentally?

If you accidentally dial 911, do not hang-up. Stay on the line and tell the dispatcher that everything is alright. If you don't, the dispatcher will automatically think that something is wrong and send a police officer to check.

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When I call 911, why do I get asked to hold on?

The same dispatchers who answer the 911 calls also answer the non-emergency calls for service for all law enforcement agencies in Douglas County. When the dispatch center is busy, the dispatchers have to ask non-emergency callers to hold on while they answer the 911 calls. Every effort is made to get back to you as quickly as possible, and your patience and understanding is appreciated. 

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When should I call 911?

911 is for emergencies or things that could become emergencies.

  • Is there a threat to life or property?
  • Are you or someone else the victim of a crime?
  • Do you have a police emergency?
  • Do you or someone else have a medical emergency?
  • Do you need the fire department?

If the situation seems urgent and has the potential to become dangerous, call 911. Dispatchers will determine whether your call should be handled by 911 or can be transferred to another person or agency. All other calls should be directed the non-emergency numbers. 

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Who am I actually calling when I dial 911?

When you dial 911, you will speak to a fully trained Communications Officer in the Douglas County Emergency Communications Center. The dispatcher will relay all pertinent information received, via radio or phone, to the appropriate responding agency, be it Police, Fire, Ambulance.

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Why do the dispatchers ask so many question when I call 911?

Emergency dispatchers need to get accurate information to allow officers to make the best decision on how to approach the situation. Dispatchers handling fire and paramedic calls must also consider the well-being of the public and the safety of the firefighters and paramedics. Callers will be asked:

  • Where
  • What
  • Who
  • When
  • (maybe) Why

The information you provide a dispatcher is relayed to responding officers, paramedics or firefighters while they are on their way to the call.

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Why do the dispatchers ask so many questions on medical calls?

The ECC also implemented an Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program in December 2004. The EMD protocols allow dispatchers to provide valuable medical pre-arrival and dispatch life support instructions to callers while an ambulance is responding to the location. Every Communications Officer must maintain EMD certification, which includes an initial 24 hour class, followed by continuing education requirements for recertification every 2 years.

Additional certifications are maintained for the National Criminal Information Center and for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation/Automatic External Defibrillator (CPR/AED); these require recertification every 2 years.

  • What's the address of the emergency? (Where are the paramedics needed?)
  • What's the telephone number you are calling from?
  • What's the problem tell me exactly what happened (to the patient).
  • Are you with the patient now?
  • How old is he/she (the patient?) (If you don't know, say so and then try and approximate the age.)
  • Is the patient conscious and breathing?

The dispatcher will provide you with some instructions for keeping the patient safe and comfortable until the paramedics arrive. Follow the instructions given to you by the dispatcher. 
 

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