Frequently Asked Questions

When should I call 9-1-1?
9-1-1 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 to our non-emergency number: 304.599.6382
Why do 9-1-1 dispatchers ask so many questions?

Emergency dispatchers need to get accurate information to allow emergency responders 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 typically be asked:
  • Where
  • What
  • Who
  • When
  • (maybe) Why
  • Your phone number

The information you provide a dispatcher is relayed to responding officers, paramedics or firefighters while they are on their way to the call. In emergencies, other dispatchers are notifying emergency responders while the call taker is still asking you questions. A common misconception is that the responders are not being immediately notified because dispatchers are asking so many questions, but this is not the case.
What if I accidentally dial 9-1-1?

If you accidentally dial 9-1-1, do not hang up. Stay on the line and tell the dispatcher you have accidentally called and do not have an emergency. If you don't, the dispatcher may think something is wrong and send a police officer to check.
 If I call 9-1-1, 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 don't know the actual address, tell the dispatcher, and then:
  • Give 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 or magazine/catalog.

2. 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. We will also ask your name, however providing that information is optional.

3. 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 westbound on I-68 at the Downtown off-ramp."

When asked for a location, we need you to be specific.
Also, if a suspect just left (such as a theft suspect), we need to know which direction that suspect went and a description of what s/he looked like. If you are asked to describe a suspect, start with the most obvious things. Some examples are:
  • "He was a white male."
  • "He/she had a gun."
  • "He/she was at least 6 feet tall."
  • "He/she was wearing a bright red jacket."
  • "He had a long brown beard."

If you describe a vehicle, include:
  • License plate information, including the state.
  • Color.
  • Year. (If unknown, tell the dispatcher if it was a new or old vehicle.)
  • Make. (Was it a Honda? Nissan? Ford?)
  • Body style. (Was it a 4-door? Hatchback? Pick-up truck?)
  • Last known direction of travel. (And possible destination, if known.)
  • Other things you may remember about it (body damage, loud exhaust, etc.)

We also need to know if you're 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.
 Why are non-emergency calls put on hold for so long?
MECCA 9-1-1 fields numerous calls and at times receives several calls reporting the same incident (such as an accident or fire). However, every emergency report needs to be verified to be sure there has not been an additional incident, such as a secondary accident. The telecommunicators need to answer each call as quickly as possible while concentrating on emergency calls first, and then the non-emergency calls. A common misconception is that we only answer 911 calls and the truth of the matter is, the majority of calls are of a non-emergency nature. The dispatchers also have to field calls and page out other departments and agencies, such as the medical examiner, dog wardens, Department of Highways, and wreckers, to name just a few.
If I call to report a fire, what should I tell the dipatcher?
You should be prepared to answer questions like these:
  • Where is the fire?
  • What is on fire?
  • How large is the fire? (This is a only an estimate, think about the size of the fire in relation to something common: the size of a living room, the size of a football field, bigger than a grocery store parking lot.)
  • Are any structures threatened? Are there flames moving close to any homes or buildings?
  • Do you know if anyone is inside the housing or building?
  • Do you know if anyone is hurt?

While you are answering these questions, a separate dispatcher is setting off the alerts at the appropriate fire stations and getting help on the way. Call takers ask you so many questions for the safety of the responders.
I call about an ongoing problem all of the time and nothing ever gets done. Does the center just disregard some calls?
MECCA 9-1-1 does not disregard any calls for service. All calls are turned over to the agency responsible for service and once this happens, the outcome is out of our control. If you have a concern about how a specific incident was handled, you should contact the appropriate agency that responded. See the Phone Numbers page for contact info for all of the emergency service agencies in Monongalia County.