TOPIC 8 OF 25
Calling 911 in an Emergency
How to respond quickly and effectively in life-threatening situations in America
Part 1: Dictionary • Part 2: Dialogue • Part 3: Article
PART 1 | COMPREHENSIVE DICTIONARY
21 essential vocabulary terms with definitions and context sentences
Context: Reporting emergencies, describing locations, and communicating clearly with emergency services
1. Emergency (noun)
Definition: A serious or dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
Example: “She called 911 to report an emergency when she saw smoke coming from her neighbor’s window.”
2. 911 dispatcher (noun)
Definition: A trained operator who receives emergency calls and coordinates responses.
Example: “The 911 dispatcher remained calm and asked specific questions to help her describe the accident.”
3. First responder (noun)
Definition: Emergency service workers such as police, firefighters, or paramedics who arrive first at the scene.
Example: “First responders arrived within four minutes of the 911 call.”
4. Ambulance (noun)
Definition: A specially equipped vehicle for transporting injured or sick persons to a hospital.
Example: “An ambulance was dispatched immediately when the caller reported a person unconscious on the sidewalk.”
5. Scene (noun)
Definition: The location of an emergency or incident.
Example: “The dispatcher asked the caller to stay at the scene and not move the injured person.”
6. Hazard lights (noun)
Definition: Flashing yellow-orange lights on a vehicle that indicate a stopped or disabled car.
Example: “After the crash, she turned on her hazard lights to warn other drivers to slow down.”
7. Unconscious (adjective)
Definition: Not awake; unresponsive to stimulation due to injury or illness.
Example: “The driver was unconscious and unresponsive when police arrived at the crash site.”
8. Stay on the line (phrase)
Definition: An instruction to keep the phone call connected until the operator says it is safe to hang up.
Example: “The 911 dispatcher said, ‘Stay on the line — help is three minutes away.'”
9. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) (noun)
Definition: An emergency procedure used to manually maintain blood flow to the brain when the heart has stopped.
Example: “The 911 dispatcher guided her through how to perform CPR until the ambulance arrived.”
10. Non-emergency line (noun)
Definition: A police or government phone number for situations that are not life-threatening.
Example: “For a stolen bicycle, she called the non-emergency line rather than 911.”
11. Address (noun)
Definition: The specific location including street number, street name, city, and state.
Example: “Give your complete address first when calling 911, in case the call gets disconnected.”
12. Injured (adjective)
Definition: Physically harmed due to an accident or other cause.
Example: “Two people were injured in the accident, one seriously.”
13. Fire department (noun)
Definition: The government agency that handles fires, rescues, and other emergencies.
Example: “The fire department responded to the gas leak report within six minutes.”
14. Police department (noun)
Definition: The law enforcement agency responsible for public safety and criminal matters.
Example: “She called the police department after her car was broken into overnight.”
15. Paramedic (noun)
Definition: A healthcare professional trained in emergency medical care who responds to crises in the field.
Example: “The paramedic assessed the injured driver and determined she needed immediate hospital care.”
16. Triage (noun)
Definition: The process of determining the priority of medical treatment based on the severity of injuries.
Example: “At the scene, paramedics triaged the patients and treated the most serious injuries first.”
17. Vital signs (noun)
Definition: Basic measurements of a person’s body functions: pulse, breathing, temperature, and blood pressure.
Example: “The paramedic checked the patient’s vital signs while the ambulance drove to the hospital.”
18. Bystander (noun)
Definition: A person who is present at an incident but not directly involved.
Example: “A bystander called 911 and stayed with the victim until help arrived.”
19. Intersection (noun)
Definition: The point where two streets meet; important reference when giving an emergency location.
Example: “She told the 911 dispatcher: ‘I’m at the intersection of Broadway and 5th Street.'”
20. Domestic disturbance (noun)
Definition: An argument or violent situation occurring inside a home.
Example: “Neighbors called 911 to report a domestic disturbance in the apartment next door.”
21. Hit and run (noun)
Definition: When a driver causes an accident and flees without stopping.
Example: “The witness called 911 immediately after seeing a hit and run near the school.”
TOPIC 8 — CALLING 911 IN AN EMERGENCY
PART 2 | REAL-LIFE DIALOGUE
A realistic conversation demonstrating key communication in this situation
Setting: Reporting a car accident
Key Phrases: Emergency • Intersection • Injured • License plate
Operator: 911, what’s your emergency?
Caller: Yes, hello! I just witnessed a car accident. Two cars crashed into each other and I think someone is hurt.
Operator: Okay, I’m sending help now. What is your location?
Caller: I’m on Maple Avenue, at the intersection with 3rd Street. Right in front of the hardware store — I think it’s called Harrison’s Hardware.
Operator: Got it — Maple and 3rd. How many vehicles are involved?
Caller: Two cars. One ran a red light and hit the other one on the driver’s side. It was a pretty hard impact.
Operator: Are there any injuries that you can see?
Caller: The driver in the car that got hit isn’t moving. The other driver got out and seems okay, maybe a little shaky.
Operator: Don’t move anyone who is injured. Is anyone blocking traffic?
Caller: Yes, both cars are partially in the intersection. Someone put on their hazard lights.
Operator: Good. Police and an ambulance are on their way. Can you stay on the line?
Caller: Yes, of course. I’m staying right here.
Operator: Do not approach the injured driver or try to move them. Just keep eyes on the scene. Help is about four minutes away.
Language Notes
When calling 911: stay calm, give your exact location first, describe what happened clearly. Never move an injured person. Stay on the line until told it’s okay to hang up.
TOPIC 8 — CALLING 911 IN AN EMERGENCY
PART 3 | INFORMATIONAL ARTICLE
How to respond quickly and effectively in life-threatening situations in America | CEFR B1 Level
Key Vocabulary: 911 dispatcher • first responder • triage • bystander • non-emergency line
When to Call 911
911 is the universal emergency number in the United States. It connects you to a dispatcher who can send police, firefighters, or an ambulance to your location. It is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Calling 911 is free from any phone — even a phone without an active service plan.
You should call 911 when there is a situation that is immediately life-threatening or dangerous. Examples include: a car accident with injuries, a fire, a person who is unconscious, a heart attack or stroke, a crime in progress, a serious injury, or someone having difficulty breathing.
You should NOT call 911 for situations that are inconvenient or upsetting but not dangerous — like a neighbor playing loud music, a car being illegally parked, or a minor dispute. For non-emergency police situations, use your local police department’s non-emergency phone number. Calling 911 for non-emergencies can slow down response to real emergencies.
What to Do When You Call 911
When you call 911, a dispatcher will answer and ask: “911, what’s your emergency?” Stay as calm as possible. The dispatcher is trained to help you and will guide the conversation. Here is the most important rule: give your location first. If the call is disconnected, emergency services will know where to go.
After giving your location, describe what is happening clearly and briefly: “There has been a car accident at the intersection of Oak and 3rd. Two cars are involved and one driver appears to be injured and is not moving.” The dispatcher will ask follow-up questions. Answer them as clearly as you can.
Do not hang up unless the dispatcher tells you to. The dispatcher can provide critical guidance while help is on the way — including how to perform basic first aid like CPR. They can also relay important information to the paramedics before they arrive.
If English is difficult for you in a stressful moment, 911 operators are trained to work with language barriers. There are also telephone interpretation services connected to most 911 systems. Just say the name of your language and the dispatcher will get an interpreter.
Common Emergency Scenarios
For a medical emergency — such as a person who is not breathing, unconscious, or experiencing chest pain — call 911 immediately. While waiting for the ambulance, do not move the person unless they are in immediate danger (such as a burning building). If the person is not breathing and you know CPR, the 911 dispatcher can guide you through the steps.
For a fire, evacuate the building immediately, then call 911 from a safe location outside. Do not go back inside for belongings. If there is smoke, stay low to the ground where the air is cleaner. Feel doors with the back of your hand before opening them — if a door feels hot, do not open it.
For a crime in progress or a threatening situation, call 911, tell the dispatcher where you are, describe what is happening, and stay on the line. If you feel unsafe, move to a locked room and speak quietly.
After the Emergency Services Arrive
When emergency services arrive, tell them what you observed. Be brief and factual. If you witnessed what happened, your account is valuable information. Tell paramedics about any first aid that was given and describe the injured person’s condition and any changes you observed.
If police are involved in a crime report, they may ask you to give a statement. You have the right to remain calm, answer honestly, and ask for clarification if you do not understand a question. If you are unsure about something, say so — it is always better to be accurate than to guess.
After a serious emergency, it is normal to feel shaken, anxious, or upset. This is a natural reaction. Talking to someone you trust about the experience can help. If you feel very distressed for several days or weeks after a traumatic event, consider speaking with a counselor or mental health professional.
Preparing for Emergencies Before They Happen
The best time to prepare for an emergency is before one happens. All adults in your home should know the address of your home — not just the area, but the exact street address including apartment number. In a crisis, you may not remember clearly, so having it memorized or written down helps.
Make a list of emergency contacts and store it in your phone and also on paper. Include: local police non-emergency line, your doctor’s number, a trusted neighbor, and a family member or friend who can be contacted in an emergency.
Consider taking a basic first aid and CPR class. The American Red Cross and many community organizations offer free or low-cost classes. Knowing how to do CPR, stop bleeding, or help a choking person can save a life.
Keep a basic emergency kit at home with water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, a flashlight, batteries, and important documents in a waterproof container.
Teaching Your Children About 911
If you have children, teach them about 911 as early as possible. Children as young as 4 or 5 can be taught to call 911 in an emergency. They should know: 911 is for big emergencies where someone could get hurt, they should tell the dispatcher their name and address, they should stay calm and answer questions, and they should never call 911 as a joke.
Practice with your children by role-playing a scenario. You can say: “Pretend I fall down and I can’t wake up. What would you do?” This kind of practice helps children remember what to do in a real emergency.
Also teach children the difference between 911 and other numbers — 911 is not for calling if they are bored, lost (unless in immediate danger), or want to talk to police. Making non-emergency calls to 911 is called “swatting” or misuse and can result in legal consequences.
Quick Tips: 911 Emergency Quick Guide
• Give your exact address FIRST — before describing the emergency.
• Stay calm and answer the dispatcher’s questions clearly.
• Never hang up unless the dispatcher says it’s okay.
• For non-emergencies, use your local police non-emergency number.
• Know your home address by memory — and make sure your children do too.
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