Our Winning Drawing!
7-year old Avery submitted the winning drawing for our summer drawing contest.
About 9-1-1 for Kids
It is very important that we teach the children of our community about 9-1-1, when to call 9-1-1, how to dial 9-1-1, and what to tell the 9-1-1 dispatcher. Below are some tips to help teach the children in your life about 9-1-1. You will also find coloring pages and activities available for you to print and share, along with information on how to tour the dispatch center and how to request a dispatcher to come to you for a 9-1-1 education class.
911 for Kids Rap:
911 Education:
The Van Alstyne Communications Department works to provide education to the community on 911 services. Educational information is passed out each year at the National Night Out Event and available by request throughout the year. Tours for children’s organizations (i.e. boy & girl scouts) are available by appointment only. We also travel into the community occasionally to help educate the youth of our community about using 911, the reasons for calling 911, and the things that are important to know. If you would like to schedule a tour of the dispatch center or request public education for a school, organization, or an event please contact the communications supervisor at 903-482-5251.
Download and Print Coloring Pages to Help teach the young people in your life about calling 9-1-1
Cell Phone Sally Video
Commission on State Emergency Communications
CSEC provides very useful information for 9-1-1 education. They have been kind enough to reach out to us and provide the full cell phone cell video for you to watch the children in your life. Please click here to watch the full video: Getting Help is Easy!
Teach ALL children these five review questions to ask children about the basics of calling 9-1-1:
Who can tell me WHEN you call 9-1-1?
- In an emergency
- When you need help
- When you need the police, fire department or an ambulance
If there were no grown-ups around and you had to call 9-1-1, who can tell me HOW you would do it?
- Stay calm
- Listen for dial tone
- Push “9”, then “1”, then “1” again (push button phone) Press “Send” button (cellular phone)
- Remember, teach your children how to use your cell phone in an emergency – children need to be shown how to make an emergency call on a password protected cell phone.
Who can tell me WHAT to say when the 9-1-1 call taker answers?
- Tell where help is needed.
- Tell what’s wrong (what the emergency is)
- Tell what help you need (police, fire, ambulance)
- Give your name, address, and phone number
What else is important to remember when you call 9-1-1?
- Speak loudly and clearly Don’t nod your head – say “yes” and “no” out loud
- Answer all questions
- Don’t hang up until the dispatcher tells you to
Who can tell me when you should NOT call 9-1-1?
- When there is no emergency
- For animals
- As a game or prank
- For a joke
- To practice