Frequently Asked Questions

When should I call 911?

911 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 The Preble County Sheriff's non-emergency number: 456-6262.

Category: Police

What if I call 911 accidentally?

If you accidentally dial 911, do not hang up. Stay on the line and tell the dispatcher that everything is alright. If you don't, the dispatcher will think that something is wrong and will send a police officer to check.

Category: Police

Why do the dispatchers ask so many question when I call 911?

Emergency dispatchers need to get accurate information to allow officers 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 be asked the 6 basic questions we're all accustomed to be asked to gather information: Who? What? When? Where? How? And, if the information is available, Why?

The information you provide a dispatcher is relayed to responding officers, paramedics or firefighters while they are on their way to the call.

Category: Police

If I call 911, what will they ask me?

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, describe the location as best as you can
1. Give cross streets or a "hundred block."
2. Provide landmarks, business names, or parks near the emergency.
3. Look at the house numbers in the area.
4. If you are calling from inside a home or business, look on a piece of mail.
When asked for a location please be specific.
If the suspect just left (such as a theft suspect), we need to know which way the suspect went, what they were wearing, and a physical description of how he/she looked.
If you are asked to describe a suspect, start with the most obvious things.
Some examples are:
1. "He/she had a gun."
2. "He/she was at least 6 feet tall."
3. "He/she was wearing a bright red jacket."
4. "He had a long brown beard."

Category: Police

How should I describe a vehicle to a dispatcher?

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?)
Other things you may remember about it.
What is the phone number you're calling from?
This is the number of the phone you're actually calling from. We need this in case we have to call you back.
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 Barron and Main Street."
- "I am fighting with my husband."
- "There is a car accident westbound on N. Barron near Frischs'."

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.

Category: Police

Why do the dispatchers ask so many questions?

The dispatchers are trying to provide the responding police, fire, and/or EMS personnel with as much information as possible to increase their safety and equip them with the information they need for a proper response to the emergency. For example, you will be asked a series of questions that will help determine the response of paramedics to the call. The paramedics will be better prepared to help the patient with the information you have provided.

What is the location of the emergency? (Where are the paramedics needed?)
Tell me exactly what is happening (with the patient right now).
How old is the patient? (If you don't know, say so and then give a guess of the age.)
Is the patient conscious and breathing?

The dispatcher will provide you with some instructions for keeping the patient safe and comfortable until the paramedics arrive. Follow the instructions given to you by the dispatcher.

Category: Police

If I call to report a fire, what should I tell the dispatcher?

You should be prepared to answer questions like these:

Where is the fire?
What is on fire?
How large is the fire? (This is 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, the dispatcher is setting off the notification at the appropriate fire stations and getting help on the way.

Category: Police

What to do with old prescription medications?

With prescription drug abuse on the rise it's wise to destroy medication as soon as possible. If you no longer need it, get rid of it! We often have people ask if they can bring the medication to the police division to be destroyed and that is something we will not do. We cannot take the prescription from you, but we can direct you on what to do.

Bring your old medications to the Eaton Police Division we have a drop off container in our lobby where the old medication can be safely placed and will be destroyed.

Category: Police