Articles
Dialing 911 from Cell Phones
The number of 911 calls placed by people using wireless phones has radically increased. Public safety personnel estimate that about 50 percent of the millions of 911 calls they receive daily are placed from wireless phones, and that percentage is growing.
For many Americans, the ability to call 911 for help in an emergency is one of the main reasons they own a wireless phone. Other wireless 911 calls come from “Good Samaritans” reporting traffic accidents, crimes or other emergencies. Prompt delivery of these and other wireless 911 calls to public safety organizations benefits the public by promoting safety of life and property.
Unique Challenges Posed by Wireless Phones
While wireless phones can be an important public safety tool, they also create unique challenges for public safety and emergency response personnel and for wireless service providers. Because wireless phones are mobile, they are not associated with one fixed location or address. A caller using a wireless phone could be calling from anywhere. While the location of the cell site closest to the caller may provide a very general indication of the caller’s location, that information is not usually specific enough for rescue personnel to deliver assistance to the caller quickly.
When dialing 911 from a cell phone, remember the following:
Tell the emergency operator the location of the emergency right away.
Give the emergency operator your wireless phone number so that, if the call gets disconnected, the operator can call you back.
If your wireless phone is not “initialized” (meaning you do not have a contract for service with a wireless service provider), and your emergency call gets disconnected, you must call the emergency operator back because the operator does not have your telephone number and cannot contact you.
Refrain from programming your phone to automatically dial 911 when one button, such as the “9” key, is pressed. Unintentional wireless 911 calls, which often occur when auto-dial keys are inadvertently pressed, cause problems for emergency call centers.
If your wireless phone came pre-programmed with the auto-dial 911 feature already turned on, turn off this feature. Check your user manual to find out how.
Lock your keypad when you’re not using your wireless phone. This action also prevents accidental calls to 911.
Also, consider creating a contact in your wireless phone’s memory with the name “ICE” (in Case of Emergency) listing the phone numbers of people you want to be notified if there is an emergency.
Home Appliance Fires
Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords.
The U. S. Fire Administration (USFA) would like consumers to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from electrical fires.
THE PROBLEM
During a typical year, home electrical problems account for 67,800 fires, 485 deaths, and $868 million in property losses. Home electrical wiring causes twice as many fires as electrical appliances.
THE FACTS
December is the most dangerous month for electrical fires. Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indooractivities and increase in lighting, heating, and appliance use. Most electrical wiring fires start in the bedroom.
THE CAUSE
Electrical Wiring
• Most electrical fires result from problems with “fixed wiring” such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring.
Problems with cords and plugs, such as extension and appliance cords, also cause many home electrical fires.
• In urban areas, faulty wiring accounts for 33% of residential electrical fires.
• Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced to misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance and running the cords under rugs or in high traffic areas.
Home appliances
• The home appliances most often involved in electrical fires are electric stoves and ovens, dryers, central heating units, televisions, radios and record players.
Safey Precautions
• Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.
• Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.
• Use electrical extension cords wisely and don’t overload them.
• Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.
• When buying electrical appliances look for products which meet the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) standard for safety.
• Don’t allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons and hair dryers.
• Keep clothes, curtains and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.
• If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
• Never overload extension cords or wall sockets. Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker. Use safety closures to “child-proof” electrical outlets.
• Check your electrical tools regularly for signs of wear. If the cords are frayed or cracked, replace them. Replace any tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats,
shorts out or gives off smoke or sparks. Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
BBQ Grills
Planning the summer and fall festivities usually includes grilling on the BBQ. Do you know where you can place that all important piece of Americana culture? BBQ grills must be 10 feet away from any combustible structures. That means you must have a 20 foot radius around the grill. That obviously rules out any decks, unless you have a deck off your bomb shelter. Fire pits of 10 foot diameter or less for grilling food also have a required 20 foot radius from any combustible structures. Now, if you do not plan to grill food in the pit, increase the radius to 100 feet! Yes, the Fire Code is complicated. If you have any questions about this or any other Fire Code related topics, you may want to call our Fire Marshal, Jeff Webb at (303)530-9575 x105.
911 Dispatch
When you dial 911, your call is taken by the highly trained personnel at the Boulder County Communications Center (BCCC), which is under the management of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. These professionals receive and direct the emergency information to the proper resources in the district that has jurisdiction. BCCC is responsible for all of Boulder County's 752 square miles and the 300,000 people that populate it. The dispatchers handle over 400 calls per day! So what if you need to contact BCCC about a non-emergency situation? You can still contact BCCC on their non-emergency lines, at (303) 441-4444.