Do not call OPP Communication Centres or dial 9-1-1- for road conditions and closures.
OPP Constable Keith Robb has reported that those calls tie up emergency lines and may cause a delay in responding to those people who need help immediately.
Robb said the 9-1-1 emergency number is the emergency telephone number that connects people to police, fire or ambulance in an emergency. Calling 9-1-1 helps people reach emergency services when they require immediate assistance.
An emergency is any situation when the safety of people or property is at risk and requires immediate assistance. Examples of 9-1-1 emergencies include: a crime in progress, a fire or a medical emergency or simply, whenever police, fire or ambulance assistance is required immediately.
OPP Provincial Communications Centres have been experiencing a large number of non-emergency 9-1-1 and “prank calls.” During the course of four randomly reviewed weekends eight per cent of 9-1-1 calls were actual emergencies, while 92 per cent were non-emergencies or prank calls.
Robb said prank 9-1-1 calls defer operators from answering real emergency calls.
If 9-1-1 lines or responders are busy with prank or non-emergent calls, someone with a real emergency might not get the immediate help that they need. It is against the law to call 9-1-1 as a joke.
He added that 9-1-1 should also not be used for non-emergent type calls such as: reporting a hydro outage, to obtain government information, for directory assistance, for information about school closings, or for directions, to name a few.
For non-emergency calls for service to the OPP the following numbers may be used:
– 1-888-310-1122 – OPP (24-hr toll-free) or your local detachment during regular business hours (numbers are listed in the phone book)
– 1-888-310-1133 – OPP, TDD/TTY telephone (24-hour toll-free); and
– Cellular *OPP (*677).
Robb also suggested people should not program 9-1-1 into their home or cellular phones. There is a greater potential for dialing error and no significant time saved as an autodial number.
Finally, he suggested people lock their cell phones when not in use so they do not accidentally dial 9-1-1.
A great deal of time and effort is wasted when that occurs.
The public can call the Ministry of Transportation province-wide toll-free inquiry line at 1-800-268-4686 to obtain information about road conditions and road closures. People can also visit at www.mto.gov.on.ca.
