If you are having a medical emergency, CALL 911.
What you need to know when calling 9 -1-1 for an ambulance.
When you call 9-1-1...
Stay on the line, do not hang up.
Stay calm.
An operator will answer your call quickly and ask if you need police, fire or ambulance.
A 911 ambulance call taker will ask questions to get you help. If you need a translator, say the language you speak.Your call will be transferred to a translator.
When you have identified you need an ambulance your call will be routed to our Central Ambulance Communication Centre and a trained Ambulance Communications Officer (ACO) will answer your call.
![Ambulance communication officer answering a call.](https://sah.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CACC-Post-3-Retouched-1280x914.jpg)
The ACO will want to know...
The call taker will ask questions to understand the medical emergency and your location, such as:
- What is the medical emergency?
- What is the address of the emergency (street number and address)?
- What city or town you are located in?
- What is the closest major intersection to your location?
- Where are you located at the address provided (outside of a building, inside of a building, in a vehicle, etc.)
- What is your phone number incase the call is disconnect?
When to call 9-1-1.
A medical emergency is something you can’t manage at home, a walk-in clinic, or with your family doctor. Examples of some medical emergencies include:
- Chest pain or tightness
- Choking or difficulty breathing
- Sudden and severe headache, vision problems, weakness, numbness, or dizziness
- Sudden trouble speaking or tingling in your face, arm, or leg
- A fracture or break in a long bone such as an arm or leg
- Serious burns
- Unexpected seizure
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- A child with diarrhea and vomiting who will not eat or drink
- An unresponsive individual
- A suspected overdose
- A labor that is progressing rapidly and you don’t think you can make it safely to a hospital before delivering
If you’re not sure how serious your health concern is, call 9-1-1 or Health811 at 1 866-797-0000 or by texting 811 from a mobile phone.
Ways to help while you wait for the ambulance...
Inside your home
· Make sure your front door is open. Have someone stand at the door to meet the paramedics.
· Clear the path to the patient. Remove items such as shoes or small rugs from the floor, steps, and around the front door.
· 1 or 2 people can stay with the patient if the patient can’t speak for themselves.
· Put pets in a different room.
· Do not smoke or vape.
· Gather information on the patient, such as medical history, medications, known allergy information, etc.
Outside your home
· Turn on your outside lights so your house number and front door are visible.
· Remove cars from your driveway if possible. Put away items that may get in the way, such as bicycles or a garden hose.
· Shovel a path through the snow so the paramedics can bring the stretcher to your front door. Salt the path, front porch, and steps.
· Have someone stand outside your home to flag down the paramedics. This will help them locate your house right away.