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Do not hang up. Stay on the line and let the dispatcher know that it was a mistake. When someone hangs up the dispatcher does not know what the circumstances are at the occurring location. Law enforcement units will be dispatched on all 911 hang-ups, misdials, and open lines. By staying on the line and letting the dispatcher know that the call was a mistake allows that information to be relayed to the responders, giving them accurate information about the 911 call.
Dispatchers have mapping software that automatically plots a point when an E-911 call is received; the dispatcher will confirm this information with the caller. This allows dispatchers to help responders find your location. A well-posted E-911 address will do a great deal to ensure that responders don't spend an unnecessary amount of time getting to your home or business.
Dispatchers will transmit information about an emergency by way of an analog paging system and digital radio frequencies. Information from the Computer Assisted Dispatching (CAD) software will also push certain information out to the responder by way of a mobile application called Active911. Information such as the location and call specifics will be relayed to the responders by the dispatcher.
No, answering the questions presented by the dispatcher will not delay a responder getting to your home or business. We use a concept called team dispatching. While one dispatcher is asking questions and documenting responses their partner is busy monitoring the call and notifying responders of the emergency. This allows a flow of information and a timely response simultaneously to occur.