The Daily News

State-mandated 911 addresses are critical for quick response in an emergency situation. Richland County Communications 911 Manager Jill Breuer is currently working to ensure all addresses in the county are correct, which led her to remind residents to check their addresses.

"Everyone pays $1 on their cell phone or landlines to pay for 911 addressing," she said. The $1 goes toward Richland County Communications and has helped pay for updating computer and phone software, mapping, employee salaries, and it has helped pay for some of the 911- signage at intersections in the county.

Townships pay for their own signage, but the county pays for state and county signs, Breuer said.

Dispatchers are constantly multitasking, especially at Richland County Communications with eight screens in front of them. Correct 911 addresses for rural areas are necessary for proper dispatch. Above, Communications 911 Manager Jill Breuer, left, takes a call while Intern Tasha Turner, Hankinson, watches. Turner is a criminal justice major at Rasmussen College. photo by Anna Jauhola Advertisement

Since the money goes toward protecting residents, Breuer reminds the public they have the responsibility of making sure their addresses are correct.

"If you are uncertain about your address, check with the county," Breuer said. "It is important to have the correct address to get responders to [the right place.]"

Breuer stressed that residents need to clearly post their address on their house or mailbox so responders can easily read it.

Dispatchers will not only ask for a 911 address on the phone but also directions to a home from a certain spot. There are some roads in townships not labeled with street signs, so they ask to ensure emergency personnel can find a residence.

An option recently added to the area is Reverse 911, which is a system to notify residents of an emergency. In order to receive these calls, residents must sign up at the county Web site at https://mylocalgov.com/richlandcountynd/. All information remains confidential.

Calling 911 is associated with severe emergencies like fire, medical and crime. However, some use it as an all-purpose line. In an emergency, Richland County Communications does their best to work quickly, but when people call 911 for non-emergency services, that is a disruption. Breuer said non-emergency calls should be dialed to 642-7777.

According to the North Dakota 911 Association, some examples of when not to call 911 include:

• directory assistance;

• road and weather information;

• when keys are locked in a vehicle;

• animal complaints;

• legal advice; and

• excessive noise.

When should you call 911?

• Crimes in progress;

• life-threatening situations;

• fires;

• motor vehicle accidents;

• injuries requiring emergency medical attention;

• hazardous chemical spills; and

• smoke in a building.

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