Table of Contents

How to Place Emergency Calls

SLAC Telephones
Coin Telephones
Cellular Phones

How to Place Emergency Calls

Instructions vary slightly, depending on whether you are placing an emergency call from a SLAC telephone (one connected to the SLAC switch), a cellular phone, or a Pacific Bell line (a coin telephone or a data, fax, or voice line not connected to the SLAC switch). Be sure you understand how to place an emergency call from each type of phone you normally use.

Calls placed from SLAC telephones are normally routed directly to Palo Alto Emergency Dispatch. These calls are immediately identifiable to the emergency personnel as coming from SLAC. However, you will still need to tell the dispatcher where on the SLAC site assistance is needed.

On calls placed from cellular phones, it is not possible to pinpoint the location of the caller. Since cellular phones are most commonly used from vehicles, emergency calls from these phones are connected to the California Highway Patrol. If you are not on a highway, you should immediately identify the community and type of emergency to the dispatcher. If you are on the SLAC site, ask for Palo Alto Emergency Dispatch. State that you are calling from SLAC and give the exact location on the site.

Many lines commonly referred to as "data lines," "fax lines," or "modem lines" can also be used as voice lines. It may be necessary to unplug equipment connected to the line and plug in a Panasonic telephone to do this. Just as for voice lines, the dialing instructions for these types of lines depend on whether they are connected to the SLAC switch.

If you call 9-911 by mistake: do not hang up. Let the operator know it was a mistake. The 911 system can trace the call and if you don’t advise them of the mistake they may send police or fire to ensure there is no emergency.

Remember:

From a telephone connected to the SLAC switch, dial 9-911.

From a telephone not connected to the SLAC switch, dial 911.

Always state your exact location and the type of emergency.

SLAC Telephones

(Telephones and other lines connected to the SLAC switch)

1. Dial 9-911.

   You will be connected to Palo Alto Emergency Dispatch.

2. Give the following information:
   • the type of emergency (medical/fire/police/hazardous spill)
   • the exact location where assistance is needed

     (SLAC is located at 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. Also, give the building and room or directions to the specific location on the SLAC site.)
     

   • what happened, how many people are injured, what help is being given
   • the victim's condition (conscious/breathing/bleeding/burned/other relevant information)
   • your name and the phone number from which you are calling
3. Do not hang up! The emergency dispatcher may have questions to ask or information to give you about what to do until help arrives.  If you dial 911 by mistake, stay on the line and tell the dispatcher that it was a mistake.  Otherwise, they may send emergency personnel to search for you.
   
4. If your call does not go through, dial "0" (zero) for the SLAC operator. Ask the operator to connect you to 911 emergency service. Stay on the line and give the necessary information to the emergency personnel.
   

Coin Telephones

"Pacific Bell" lines

Fax, modem, or voice lines not connected to the SLAC switch

1. Dial 911.

   You will be connected to San Mateo County Emergency Dispatch.

2. Give the following information:
   • the type of emergency (medical/fire/police/hazardous spill)
   • the exact location where assistance is needed

     (SLAC is located at 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. Also, give the building and room or directions to the specific location on the SLAC site.)

   • what happened, how many people are injured, what help is being given

     the victim's condition (conscious/breathing/bleeding/burned/other relevant information)

   • your name and the phone number from which you are calling
3. Do not hang up! The emergency dispatcher may have questions to ask or information to give you about what to do until help arrives.  If you dial 911 by mistake, stay on the line and tell the dispatcher that it was a mistake.  Otherwise, they may send emergency personnel to search for you.

Cellular Phones

1. Dial 911.

   You will be connected to California Highway Patrol Dispatch (Vallejo) or to a local emergency dispatch center such as Menlo Park or Palo Alto, depending on your calling location.
    

2. If you are on the SLAC site, ask to be connected to Palo Alto Emergency Dispatch.

   If you are off-site, on a city street or county road, ask for the emergency dispatch service for that community.

   If you are reporting a highway accident, give the emergency information to the California Highway Patrol dispatcher.
    

3. Give the following information:
   • the type of emergency (medical/fire/police/hazardous spill)
   • the exact location where assistance is needed

     (SLAC is located at 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. Also, give the building and room or directions to the specific location on the SLAC site.)

   • what happened, how many people are injured, what help is being given the victim's condition (conscious/breathing/bleeding/burned/other relevant information)
   • your name and the phone number from which you are calling
4. Do not hang up! The emergency dispatcher may have questions to ask or information to give you about what to do until help arrives.