Teaching kids to use 911

—In case of emergency local youth will understand the system
CRESCO - Area emergency personnel visited Notre Dame fourth grade classrooms (Mrs. Daley and Mrs. Trautsch) on Sept. 17 to teach students the proper way to use 911.
It may seem strange to parents and grandparents, but youth now-a-days may have never seen a land line, or know the difference between that and a cell phone. 
Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Hollenbeck and Dispatcher Sandi Lybbert explained the land line address will come up when a call comes into the dispatch department. For cell phones, it just shows which cell tower it pinged off, so individuals have to be diligent in knowing where they are and be specific when describing their location to law enforcement.
Lybbert said, “When you call us, we will ask your name, address and nature of call, such as what kind of emergency it is — accident, fire or someone fell. Don’t call if you lost your bicycle or the cat is up in the tree.”
The 25-year veteran of law enforcement noted that if a caller is unsure if it is an emergency, call and dispatchers will figure that out. “Don’t be afraid to call. Even if it was an accident. Don’t hang up because we will have to call you back. If you don’t answer, we will send a deputy to see if you are all right.”
Deputy Hollenbeck has been in law enforcement for 18 years. He said, “You should know your name and address to tell the dispatch officers. Tell your parents to post the address by a phone.”
The fourth graders were asked how they would describe where they are if they don’t know the address. Some answered to say whose house it is, or who lives across the street. Another answer was what road it is and what it looks like outside.
Lybbert added, “We may ask you to find some mail, which would have the address on it. We will stay on the line with you until help arrives.”
It was then time to practice 911 calls with the officers.
Hollenbeck and Lybbert, as well as 911 coordinator Darrel Knecht, will visit the other schools in the area, including Crestwood, Riceville and Holy Trinity in Protivin, to give them lessons on 911 as well.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

Sign Up For Breaking News

Stay informed on our latest news!

Manage my subscriptions

Subscribe to Breaking News feed