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Liverpool Public Library Hosts 911 Call Center Informational Event Liverpool Public Library Hosts 911 Call Center Informational Event

By Geraldo Reid

GERALDO REID: At the Liverpool Public Library, inside the Carmen Community room, few gathered to listen to valuable information about 911 call centers and how they function. Making a 911 call tends to happen in cases of emergency when help is needed. To receive assistance of a police officer or two, there is person who would get you in contact with them immediately. For Regina Morris she is one of few people on the other end of the line and have been in that seat for numerous years. She says the most important information for you and them is to have good knowledge of your surroundings.

REGINA MORRIS: So, the most important is when you’re calling the matter. If you’re calling an emergency or non-emergency, if you need help from a first responder, know your location.

GERALDO REID: Edina Osmanovic works in the community engagement department and a librarian at Liverpool Public Library. The killing of two police officers in April was the nudge she needed to organize this event.

EDINA OSMANOVIC: It’s really important to look at your community and see the things that they need. The current situation that we just had a couple weeks ago, which was really unfortunate is something that I feel like the community needs to know about how to call 911.

GERALDO REID: Schreene Babcock is a sixth grade teacher. As the summer season approaches and children are home, there is always a chance of mishap. She says it is vital that experts share information on what you should know about the 911 call center in times when it may be needed most.

SCHREENE BABCOCK: As sixth graders, when they’re at that age where they’re starting to stay home on their, watching younger siblings, possibly babysitting, especially summer safety, that we revisit those and talk to community members who are experts in those fields.

LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (NCC News) –  Regina Morris is a recruitment team member at the Department of Emergency Communications.  Her career has encountered many cases of those needing assistance from law enforcement personnel. 911 call operators and dispatchers are the bridge between police officers and those needing help. 

She spoke at the Liverpool Public Library on Wednesday about what you should know about 911 call centers. Morris said there is a common misunderstanding about her role. 

“A lot of people believe that, when they hear 911, they believe that we are the police department,” Morris said. “We are not the police department. We are the first point of contact for our first responders.”

At the event, she passed on information to those in the audience about the types of calls she usually receives. Making a phone call to the police to report any crime that is taking place may involve pressure. When being the victim of a situation, making a phone call could be dangerous. 

Now, there are different ways that someone can get in contact with a 911 dispatcher. Morris said that you can text a 911 dispatcher just like you would text anyone else.

“We can text now, text another one that some people may not realize, just like you would text your friend or family, just text us,” Morris said.

Edina Osmanovic works in the community engagement department and is a librarian at the Liverpool Public Library. She goes into different communities in the surrounding area to gauge what may be beneficial for them to know. 

Osmanovic was the coordinator of the event and said that knowing the effectiveness of calling 911 is important for the community. 

“This is something that I feel like the community needs to know about how to call 911,” said Osmanovic. 

Schreene Babcock is a sixth grade teacher. As the summer season hits full swing and kids are at home from school, the likelihood of accidents happening inside or outside the home is high. 

She said that events such as this are necessary for the community both young and old to grasp, but conversations around preventing those calls to be made are important as well. 

“As sixth graders when they’re at the age where they’re starting to stay home alone, they’re watching younger siblings, possibly babysitting; Especially summer safety, that we revisit those and talk to community members who are experts in those fields,” said Babcock.

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