Be Prepared for Emergencies!

You never know when an emergency might arise.

More than 234,000 calls were placed to York County’s 911 center last year. That equates to approximately one call for every two York County residents.

It’s probably fair to say most callers had no idea when they awoke in the morning they would be calling 911 later in the day.

That’s why it’s important every member of our community prepare for emergencies before they happen. As part of that process, residents should ensure they know certain information about the places where they spend the most time. Providing this information to 911 operators helps them help you.

You should know:

The township, borough or city from which you're calling
Your phone number
Street Address

Many 911 calls come from homes and workplaces, so it’s important to post this information prominently in those locations. In the confusion of an emergency, it can serve as a resource if you, a family member, visitor or co-worker needs to call 911.

Parents should teach their children this information and regularly reinforce it, particularly after a move. It should also be emphasized with friends and older relatives.

Of course, there are times when you or someone else might need to call and won’t be able to provide a dispatcher with this information.

That’s not a problem. York County has one of the most advanced 911 systems in the nation. Our operators can trace your call to dispatch the appropriate team of responders.

Any information you can provide helps ensure you get the best response possible.

Every member of the community is encouraged to fill out an emergency card and post it in a prominent location, such as on a refrigerator, to ensure it’s readily available if you or someone else needs to call 911 from that location.

These cards are available in both English and Spanish.

They can be printed from the Internet at www.ycdes.org/index.php/yc911/publiced, or they are also available through our Department of Emergency Services by calling 840-2948.