INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT

Dial 9-1-1 Information

Quick Links

• What is 9-1-1?
• When to call 9-1-1
• When not to call 9-1-1
• Misuse of 9-1-1 system
• How to make an emergency call
• What to do if you can not speak
• TTY Users
• Non-Emergency Numbers
• Wildlife Emergency Numbers
• 911 for Kids (external link)

What is 9-1-1?

9-1-1 is a 3 digit emergency number which is easy to remember that provides immediate and direct access to FIRE, POLICE and MEDICAL SERVICES.

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When to call 9-1-1

Dial 9-1-1 for immediate fire, medical, or police assistance, such as:

• Fires
• Medical Emergencies
• Car Accidents
• Crimes in Progress
• Fights and Domestic Disturbances
• Anytime a life or lives are in danger

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When not to call 9-1-1

DO NOT dial 9-1-1 for GENERAL INFORMATION or NON-EMERGENCY purposes such as:

• Crimes not in progress - Call the non-emergency numbers below
• Loud music or parties - Call the non-emergency numbers below
• To report controlled burns - Call the non-emergency numbers below
• For a copy of police report - Call the non-emergency numbers below during business hours
• For telephone numbers - Call Directory Assistance, 411 is the correct number.
• Asking directions - Call your destination and ask them
• Asking about traffic tickets - Call the number indicated on the ticket
• To arrange for ambulance transportation to medical appointments - Call Indian River County Volunteer Ambulance Squad at 772-231-1230 or visit their website: www.ircvas.org for more information.
• To discuss legal problems, legal issues or questions on laws - Check the listing under "Attorneys" in the yellow pages directory
• Reporting garbage problems - Call local trash collection companies
• Repair for your household appliances, your car, etc. - Check the listings in the yellow pages directory
• Testing your phone
• Severe Weather - Check radio/television stations or our Weather and Disaster page
• School Closings - Check radio/television stations or Indian River County School District website (external link)
• Power Outages
  • Florida Power & Light (FPL) customers: Please call 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) to report a hazardous condition such as a wire down. Please stay away from downed power lines and always assume that they are energized and dangerous.
  • City of Vero Beach Utilities Department customers: Please call the Utilities Trouble Line at 772-978-5000 to report power outages or water and sewer problems.
• Barking dogs or dogs running loose
  • Indian River County: Locations within the Indian River County area excluding locations within the city limits of Vero Beach, use the following form: Online Animal Control Complaint Form (external link)
  • City of Vero Beach: Locations within the city limits, call the Vero Beach Police Department at 772-978-4600

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Misuse of 9-1-1 system

Florida Statutes 365.172 (13) (external link)

MISUSE OF 911 OR E911 SYSTEM; PENALTY.--911 and E911 service must be used solely for emergency communications by the public. Any person who accesses the number 911 for the purpose of making a false alarm or complaint or reporting false information that could result in the emergency response of any public safety agency; any person who knowingly uses or attempts to use such service for a purpose other than obtaining public safety assistance; or any person who knowingly uses or attempts to use such service in an effort to avoid any charge for service, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. After being convicted of unauthorized use of such service four times, a person who continues to engage in such unauthorized use commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. In addition, if the value of the service or the service charge obtained in a manner prohibited by this subsection exceeds $100, the person committing the offense commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

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How to make an emergency call

1. Stay calm.  Don't get excited, take a deep breath.
2. Don't wait, dial right away - DO NOT HANG UP.
3. Tell the dispatcher answering your call, what exactly is wrong.
4. Give the exact location where the emergency is.  Be sure to give your full address (even though the 9-1-1 system provides the dispatcher with an address, it must be verified), including an apartment number if you live in an apartment.
5. Give them the phone number you are calling from.
6. Give your name.
7. DO NOT HANG UP - Until the dispatcher on the phone tells you to.
8. The 9-1-1 Communications Center is located at the Indian River County Sheriff's Office utilizes the Medical, Police and Fire Priority Emergency Dispatch Systems.  These systems allows the dispatcher to instruct the caller in pre-arrival procedures.  The dispatcher may ask you specific questions regarding the situation.  This information is then relayed to the First Responders in route to the emergency, so they will have a clear concise picture as to what is occurring on the scene.  The First Responders are alerted while you are on the phone with the dispatcher.
9. If you accidentally dial 9-1-1, please stay on the line and let the dispatcher know that it was accidental.  Dispatchers are required to follow up on all 9-1-1 calls and verify the existence of an emergency.  If they are unable to communicate with someone at the residence, they will dispatch a police officer or sheriff's deputy to investigate.
10. If you are calling 9-1-1 via a cellular phone, please be prepared to give the dispatcher your cell phone number and your exact location.  If you are not familiar with the area, look for distinguished landmarks, businesses, mile markers, etc.  Be able to identify your direction of travel.  Know the name of the last town or city that you may have passed through.

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What to do if you can not speak

1. Stay calm
2. Dial 9-1-1
3. Either leave the phone hanging or make some sort of noise to let the dispatcher know there is a real emergency.
4. With Enhanced 911 (E911) system, your address is provided to the dispatcher and they can go ahead and dispatch police, fire or medical assistance to your location even if they do not hear you speak.

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TTY Users

Do not use the relay service in an emergency! TTY 9-1-1 and The 9-1-1 Communications Center will communicate directly with you using TTY (Telephone Typewriter) device.

The 9-1-1 Communications Center provides equal access to citizens using TTY devices for communications. TTY is a text message system that is used by Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals to communicate via phone lines with other TTY users. Each end of a TTY call must have a TTY device.

It does help the dispatcher if TTY users will press the space bar several times when the phone is answered. If the dispatcher do not detect Baudot tones and there is no voice response on a call, the dispatcher will send a TTY message.

• Americans with Disabilities Act - Access for 9-1-1 and Telephone Emergency Services (external link)
• Don’t Throw Away Your TTY! (external link)

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Non-Emergency Numbers

Wildlife Emergency Numbers