ELEMENTARY STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO DIAL 911

FRUITLAND -- Sheriff's office dispatcher Anita Watkins answered the calls the way she usually does:

"9-1-1. What's your emergency?"

And on Thursday afternoon she was getting an earful of children telling her about fires, shootings, accidents, even a bomb.

Watkins was answering the calls as she sat in the cafeteria of North Elementary School in Fruitland, where first and second graders were being given the experience of dialing the emergency number during a "Safe Connections: Know the ABCs of 9-1-1" demonstration.

The event was put on by volunteers with the Southwestern Bell Pioneers to demonstrate to children how and when to use 9-1-1. It was the kick-off of a campaign to bring the demonstration to schools throughout Southeast Missouri.

"The Pioneers will go to any school and train students in the basics of 9-1-1," said Donna Burk, director of external affairs for Southwestern Bell. "It's hoped that the students will tell their parents about what they learned so we can educate parents, as well."

The demonstration included a video about when to call 9-1-1, such as in the case of a fire, burglary or accident. It also covered when not to call, such as when a cat is stuck up in a tree. Presenters talked about how 9-1-1 works and children got hands-on experience at making a 9-1-1 call.

Watkins sat facing the children wearing her uniform and an operators headphone. On the table in front of her sat a simulator that allowed the children to see the information displayed when an emergency call comes in to the dispatcher. There also was a telephone for the children to use.

The favorite part for the children seemed to be describing the emergency, with each child being provided with a situation by the Pioneer volunteers, and answering Watkins' questions about their location and phone number and the nature of the emergency.

Second-grader Brittany Hastings' emergency was that her mother had fainted and wouldn't wake up. "Is she still breathing," Watkins asked after the child had given her address. "Yes," Brittany answered. "Is she bleeding?" "No." "Is there anyone else there?" "No." "An ambulance is on the way," Watkins told the girl. "You can hang up now."

That last sentence is important, Watkins said. Even adults who call 9-1-1 will sometimes hang up before the dispatcher gets all the needed information, she said.

Another common mistake made by those calling 9-1-1 is getting impatient if their call isn't answered within the first few rings, Burk said. More than two-thirds of area consumers in a recent Southwestern Bell survey said they would hang up if a 9-1-1 dispatcher didn't answer their calls within the first few rings. Forty percent would call the phone company operator while 28 percent would redial 9-1-1.

But hang-up calls squander valuable time and resources of emergency call centers as well as waste time for the caller who has to start the emergency process all over again, Burk said.

Watkins said few 9-1-1 calls are from children. But because it's impossible to know when such a situation will arise, it's important for parents to teach their children their address and phone number.

"Most of the children here knew their address, but not all of them," Watkins said.

To reinforce what they learned from Thursday's demonstration, the children were sent home with goody bags filled with a Safe Connections coloring book for children and a pamphlet of 9-1-1 do's and don'ts for adults.

Taylor Coleman, age 7, said she'd wondered what it would be like to call 9-1-1. She said it was a little different than she imagined because the dispatcher wanted more information than Taylor expected. She nodded when asked if she learned from the experience.

"I think I could do it if I had to," the second-grader said.

The ABCs of 9-1-1

*Avoid hanging up. It may take several rings or you may get a recorded message telling you to hold. Don't redial 9-1-1.

*Once your call has been answered, stay on the line until the dispatcher says it's OK to disconnect the call.

*Be aware of your location. Know your home address and location. Know cross streets if you are on a wireless phone.

*Call for emergencies only. When the dispatcher answers, explain your emergency and speak slowly. Answer questions as briefly as possible.