What is 911?

911 is the number to dial for the fastest possible emergency response when you need emergency POLICE, FIRE or MEDICAL ASSISTANCE in a life or death situation.

911 is a "team" of police, fire and medical telecommunicators--professional men and women--who are available 24-hours a day. They are trained to assist in getting emergency help to you as quickly and as safely as possible. All dispatchers are Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certified.

When to dial 911

911 is the number to dial when an emergency is occurring either immediately or within the last 10 minutes.

How 911 Works

The Montezuma and Dolores County Enhanced 911 system. E911 telecommunicators digitally receive the telephone number and address from where the call for emergency services is placed. This information is then immediately relayed to the appropriate agency.

EXAMPLE: What To Do

You're looking out of your window and notice a person breaking into your neighbor's home...

 

1. You should immediately go to the phone and dial 911.

    

    

2. An E911 Telecommunicator will answer your call and will then ask you to verify the location you are calling from.

    

    

3. Even while you are talking, an officer is already on the way. Try to remain calm and answer all of the E911 telecommunicator's questions--we understand you may be excited.

    

    

4. DO NOT HANG UP!

    

    

   • For officer safety, it is very important that the E911 telecommunicator on the phone gets all the necessary information about the emergency and the suspects.

      

    

5. Give information most needed:

    

   • Name and phone number from where you are calling
   • What happened
   • Where it happened (address)
   • When it happened
   • Is anyone injured?
   • Suspect description
   • Vehicle description
   • License number
   • Direction of travel of suspect
   • Did you see any weapons?
   • How many suspects?

Community and Police Working Together

The Cortez Police Department and city residents have joined forces to keep Cortez one of the safest cities in Colorado.

More and more citizens are realizing that the sooner they call the police, the greater the chance is to catch the criminal or to save a life.

911 Emergency Examples

• Someone breaking into your home now or one of your neighbors' homes.
• Fires
• Traffic injury accidents
• Person screaming
• Child choking
• Fights or displays of weapons

911 IS NOT FOR directory assistance or for emergency telephone repair.

Non-Emergency Examples

A Non-Emergency call is simply a request for police service that is not a life or death situation.

• Abandoned vehicle
• Loud party
• Barking dog
• Vandalism
• Late reported calls
• Road conditions

The NON-EMERGENCY Line Is:  (970) 565-8441