In an emergency, call 911 immediately from any landline or wireless phone.

 

An EMERGENCY is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department or ambulance. Examples include:

• A fire

• A crime, especially if in progress

• A car crash, especially if someone is injured

• A medical emergency, such as someone who is unconscious, gasping for air or not breathing, experiencing an allergic reaction, having chest pain, having uncontrollable bleeding, or any other symptoms that require immediate medical attention

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Important: If you’re not sure whether the situation is a true emergency, officials recommend calling 911 and letting the dispatch operator determine whether you need emergency assistance.

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When you call 911, be prepared to answer the dispatch operator's questions, which may include:

• The location of the emergency, including the street address

• The phone number you are calling from

• The nature of the emergency

• Details about the emergency, such as a physical description of a person who may have committed a crime, a description of any fire that may be burning, or a description of injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency

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Remember, the  dispatch operator's questions are important to get the right kind of help to you quickly.

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Be prepared to follow any instructions the dispatch operator gives you. Operators can tell you exactly what to do to help in an emergency until help arrives, such as providing step-by-step instructions to aid someone who is choking or needs first aid or CPR.

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Finally, DO NOT hang up until the dispatch operator instructs you to do so.

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*NOTE: If you dial 911 by mistake, or if a child in your home dials 911 when no emergency exists, DO NOT HANG UP—that could make 911 officials think that an emergency exists, and possibly send FIRST responders to your location. Instead, simply explain to the dispatch operator what happened.

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When you call the Anderson County non-emergency number (864) 260-4444, you will be talking to the same dispatch operators that answer the 9-1-1 lines. Be assured that if your situation turns out to be an emergency, it will be handled appropriately.

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Below are examples of NON-EMERGENCY situations. Please DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 for the following:

• To report a power outage call:

• DUKE ENERGY                               (800) 769-3766

• BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC CO-OP   (888) 258-3743

• LITTLE RIVER ELECTRIC CO-OP (800) 459-2141

• LAURENS ELECTRIC CO-OP        (866) 973-7867

• When you want to find out if someone has been arrested or is in jail - Call 260-4363

• When you are looking for general information or a phone number - Call 411

• When you are curious why there is a police officer or ambulance at the neighbor’s house

• To find out about weather conditions

• To find out about school/business closings - Check local media outlets

• For a flat tire or if you run out of gas

• For loose dogs in the area (864) 260-4444