Tipton County, Indiana

Yes, the 911 Center answers not only 911 calls but all other seven-digit numbers listed in the phone book as “non-emergency.” For instance, the Police Department listings in the phone book read: “Emergency – 911” and “Non-Emergency – (765) 675-2111.” All of those numbers ring to and are answered by the exact same 911 call-taker. All of the NON-EMERGENCY numbers listed are answered here at the 911 Center.

Tipton County Emergency Communications has an “enhanced” 911 system. This means that when you dial from a landline phone, our call-takers will have your name, address, and phone number displayed when they answer the phone. This will assist in making your call quicker and easier to process. This location display is also extremely important in cases where the caller does not know where they are, or cannot speak or give their location due to a medical problem or a variety of other reasons. Our call-takers do not receive this display when the seven-digit numbers are dialed, or when 911 is dialed from a wireless (cell) phone that is not GPS-enabled.

If you just have a question or need information, please try to find the proper number in the telephone book. For instance, to find out if someone has been arrested and may be in jail, please dial (765) 675-7004. The 911 lines and call-takers must be available for emergency calls of higher priority.

Yes, you can text 911 at this time with Verizon and AT&T, with the rest of the companies coming online this year. Please provide an address in your text, as we can’t help you if we can’t find you. Remember, calling 911 is always the best and most effective way to receive emergency help.

If a caller is not satisfied with the services provided, they should ask to speak with the shift supervisor. If they have already disconnected, they can call back the same number they originally dialed and ask for the supervisor. The caller should explain to the supervisor the circumstances of the call and why they are not satisfied with the service they received. The shift supervisor is responsible to investigate the complaint, determine if 911 personnel acted properly or not, and if not, to take whatever action the supervisor deems appropriate to address the issue. Complaints can also be reported using the Customer Service Action System available from our home page. With this system, comments and complaints can be submitted and tracked so that you are aware of how the complaint was resolved.

Professionally trained dispatchers from Tipton County answer all 911 calls, whether it is a wired or cellular telephone. Should the call require contact with another agency, we will transfer your call to the proper agency. If you are on or near the border with another county, there is a chance your call will be answered by another agency. Please explain your location and you will be transferred to us.

Do not hang up. Allow the dispatcher to answer and explain that it was an accidental call. We are obligated to call back and confirm there was no emergency. If we are unable to contact the caller but have an accurate location, law enforcement will respond.

There are many good reasons to use 911: - For emergencies - You are unsure about your location - You do not know the non-emergency number - Or you are in doubt if an incident is an emergency.

Every call is different. Simply follow the questions the dispatcher asks. Be ready to provide: - WHERE you are - WHAT happened - WHO is involved - HOW and WHY the situation happened

Yes, our Communications Center subscribes to a telephone translation service providing access to interpreters who speak more than 170 languages and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergency communication services with non-English speaking callers.

Yes, our Communications Center is equipped with TDD/TTY equipment. Communications professionals receive extensive training in handling emergency situations utilizing this special equipment.

The staff of the Communications Center attempt to deal with every call in a courteous manner. Due to the nature of emergency situations, our staff attempt to get the information required to locate you and determine the proper response in as short a time as possible. Some emergencies do require a more assertive approach to gain the information. If you feel that your call was not handled appropriately, you may contact the director of operations at (765) 675-2111.

Yes, Indiana Law (IC 16-31-3.5-3) requires all emergency medical dispatchers to be certified. Hamilton County dispatchers are trained to provide appropriate pre-arrival instructions to assist in lifesaving efforts prior to the arrival of first responders.

All calls for law enforcement service are prioritized based on the information provided by the caller. Officers are sent as soon as possible, and generally there is very little delay between the receipt of a call and the dispatching of an officer. Sometimes, usually due to heavy volume or extreme weather, calls will be prioritized based on the following criteria: - “In progress” threat of injury or to life - “In progress” threat to property - Threats to life or property that have not occurred - Incidents that have occurred but there are no suspects in the area - Other incidents.

For most providers, that is true. We recommend that you do not give old phones to children as toys. If the batteries are charged, the phone will call 911 if it receives a signal the phone company does not recognize. If we cannot get verbal confirmation that there is not a problem and we do get a valid location on the phone, we will send law enforcement.

Most cellular telephones made after 2006 have GPS locating technology built into them. If conditions are good, we will get a location within a few yards of your location. Being indoors, in a densely forested area, or on the edge of a reception area will affect accuracy of the locating system.

If you need law enforcement, fire or EMS, call 911. If you are calling for administrative staff or follow-up to an emergency call, you should use the non-emergency number (765) 675-2111.

No, you must use the non-emergency numbers to contact any administrative staff.

If you feel there could be imminent danger to yourself, you should not allow the person in, but call 911 immediately and let us know what is occurring. If you do provide shelter to someone while waiting for emergency services, be sure to let the dispatcher know where the incident is occurring and where we can find the victim.