A number of people swing into action when someone calls 911.

There are six 911 lines in the 911 Center, which is located in the Cortland County Public Safety Building on Greenbush Street  in Cortland.

When someone dials 911, the call is routed to the 911 Center and is automatically picked up by three dispatchers, specializing in police, fire and emergency medical services (EMS).

The dispatchers immediately verify the address and telephone number of the location where the caller is and where the incident is occurring.

If the call is medically related, the EMS/TLC dispatcher attempts to ascertain what the problem is and to provide what is called pre-arrival assistance, using a physician approved dispatch card system.

The dispatch card system prompts dispatchers to ask key questions that allow the dispatcher to provide assistance over the telephone prior to an ambulance's arrival. TLC dispatchers have successfully talked callers through such life saving techniques as CPR, controlling hemorrhaging and childbirth. The cards have been reviewed and approved by Cortland County's Medical Director prior to being used in the dispatch center.

If the location of the call is within the TLC coverage area, the EMS/TLC dispatcher also promptly sends a TLC ambulance. If the call location is out of the TLC coverage area, the fire dispatcher sends the ambulance from the appropriate agency, while the EMS/TLC dispatcher provides pre-arrival assistance.

In certain instances, the dispatch cards also require a fire department rescue squad be sent to the call. The EMS/TLC dispatcher immediately notifies the fire dispatcher if this is needed.