Clearfield County provides 9-1-1 services to the County of Clearfield, Pennsylvania. The county encompasses approximately 1,154 square miles and has a population of over 83,000. Clearfield County 911 answers and dispatches an average of 60,000 emergency and non-emergency incidents per year. There is a staff of 25 dispatchers with an average of 5 on duty at all times. An administrative staff of 6 people provide support services such as quality assurance, training, radio maintenance, and database administration.

 

When a person is victimized or witnesses a criminal action, the feelings of anxiety are so overwhelming that trying to look up the telephone number for the police can be an impossible task. Likewise, when a person has a sick child and does not know where to turn, or smells smoke in their home, 9-1-1 can put them in touch with people who know what to do. The universal 9-1-1 system was also created to assist children, senior citizens, and those who have problems with language. 

City, township and community logs are filled with incidents where people have helped save lives and property by dialing    9-1-1. Unfortunately, there are many instances where 9-1-1 was dialed as a joke. Remember, dialing 9-1-1 is serious and calling unnecessarily can endanger someone else's life or property when they really do need help! 

Call 9-1-1 for HELP when: 

You witness or are the victim of a crime. 
You smell smoke or see a fire. 
You witness or are involved in a serious accident. 
There is an emergency illness or suspected poisoning. 
When a child / senior citizen / handicapped person is lost, confused, frightened, or needs special assistance. 
There is any situation that is potentially dangerous and you are not sure who to call. 

An event or occurrence demanding immediate action; or any condition endangering or thought to be endangering life or property. (From Police Communications Guide for Dispatchers by Alan Burton, published by Dispatch Specialists, Medford, OR, dated 1984.)

Pennsylvania defines Emergency Services in Act 78 of 1990 (Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act) as: "Those services, including fire fighting, law enforcement, ambulance and medical, provided for the protection and/or preservation of persons and/or property in circumstances of immediate and significant threat of injury or harm." 

Do not use your telephone to call. Stay low, get out of the house immediately and call from your neighbor's, cell or a pay phone.

Remember that you can dial 9-1-1 from any phone for FREE. 

The dispatcher answering your 9-1-1 call will ask you several questions to ensure that we send you the proper assistance. Remember to remain calm, speak clearly and remain on the line to answer all the dispatcher's questions. All callers are asked for the following basic information: