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1. When should I call 9-1-1?

Call 9-1-1 to report a:

• Fire
• Medical emergency
• Crime in progress or one that has just occurred
• Motor vehicle accident
• Incident that could put life or property in danger

2. Why does the 9-1-1 call taker ask so many questions?

The questions are asked to determine the type of emergency and appropriate response. The more questions we ask, the more information we can pass on to responders and the better prepared they will be.

3. When the 9-1-1 call taker is asking questions, is help being sent?

Once a call taker determines the type of emergency, a call is generated in our Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and is routed immediately to a dispatcher. Delays may occur if a caller cannot give an accurate address or if a caller is not cooperative enough to provide basic information so that the call-taker can properly input the call.

4. How does a 9-1-1 call get to the right agency?

Telephone computers immediately identify the location where the 9-1-1 call originated and automatically route it to the correct 9-1-1 center. A 9-1-1 call from unincorporated Pasco County will ring in to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) located in the Emergency Communications Center in New Port Richey. Calls from the cities of Port Richey, New Port Richey, Dade City or Zephyrhills will ring in to the respective police departments for those jurisdictions. Calls originating anywhere else in Pasco County will ring to the Emergency Communications Center.

5. Is there a penalty for abuse of the 9-1-1 system?

Yes. It is a first class misdemeanor to make false 9-1-1 calls. This is punishable by a $1,000 fine or up to one year imprisonment, according to Florida Statute 365.172(13).

6. Is it true that a newborn baby can be left at a fire station if the mother doesn't want to keep it?

Yes. Any infant three days old or younger can be taken to a fire station or emergency room and dropped off anonymously without questions as to why. The parent will be asked if there are any medical problems with the infant. This has been made possible due to the Safe Heaven for Newborns Law.

7. What happens to the baby after it is left at a fire station?

The child is immediately checked out by a paramedic to ensure that they are not sick or injured, and then they are transported by ambulance to the closest emergency room to begin the adoption process to find new parents.

8. Who do I contact to see if a burn permit was issued?

Florida Division of Forestry issues Burn Permits for Pasco County. You can contact DOF at (352) 745-6777.

9. How fast can the ambulance and fire truck go when they have their lights and sirens on?

Florida Statutes state the ambulance and fire engines must obey all traffic laws while driving. They are allowed to exceed the posted speed only when responding with lights and sirens, and road conditions allow for safe operation.

10. How does the enhanced emergency 9-1-1 service work?

Special computers and monitors display the location and phone number where the 9-1-1 call originated. A typical 9-1-1 display will give the phone number of the caller, the address and apartment or lot number and the name of the telephone service subscriber.

11. What's the difference between ALS1 and ALS2 service?

Advance Life Support (ALS1), Emergency: When medically necessary, the provision of an assessment by an ALS provider or supplier or the provision of one or more ALS interventions.  Advance Life support (ALS2), Emergency: When medically necessary, the administration of three or more different medications and the provision of at least one of the following ALS procedures:  Manual Defribrillation/Cardioversion; Endotracheal Intubation; Central Venous Line; Cardiac Pacing; Chest Decompression; Surgical Airway; Intraosseous Line.

12. How can I find the location of the closest fire hydrant to my home.

All requests for locations of fire hydrants must be made in writing. Fire Rescue accepts Requests for Letters of Protection by: 

• Fax at (813) 929-2756
• E-mail - rlaverty@pascocountyfl.net
• U.S. mail - Pasco County Fire Rescue 4111 Land O' Lakes Blvd. Suite 208 Land O' Lakes, FL  34639

 Please provide the address to which the information is needed. Fire Rescue will respond to the request by letter. The letter will contain the location of the nearest fire hydrant as well as the nearest fire station and the ISO rating (Insurance Service Org).