WHEN TO CALL 911 AND OTHER RESOURCES
In times of stress, it is important to know who to contact in order to get the right help when you need it most. Did you know when you call 911 and it is not an emergency, you are breaking the law and tying up resources that may be needed to save a life? 911 should be used for life-safety emergencies, but there are other agencies that can help you with non-life-threating concerns.
Who Should I Contact?
911
Call 911 for any immediate danger to life, limb, or property. Some examples include, but are not limited to:
- House or building fire
- Medical emergencies, i.e., chest pains, trauma injuries
- Someone threatening or attacking you
- A crime is in progress
- Aggressive dog attack
- You hear gun shots in your area
- Vehicle accident
- There is an impaired or unsafe driver
Non-Emergency Dispatch
Call to make a report or for non-life-threatening concerns. Some examples include, but are not limited to:
- Unpermitted neighborhood burning of yard debris, illegal firework use, etc.
- Lost or loose animal in your neighborhood
- Noise disturbances
- Vehicle break-ins
- Minor crimes such as theft or vandalism
Non-Emergency Dispatch Numbers in Lincoln County
- Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue: 541-574-5810
- Depoe Bay Rural Fire Protection District: 541-574-5809
- East Lincoln County Fire Protection District: 541-336-5555
- Lincoln City Police: 541-994-3636
- Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office: 541-265-0777
- Newport City Fire Department and Newport Rural Fire Protection District: 541-574-5808
- Newport City Police Department: 541-574-5807
- North Lincoln Fire and Rescue District 1: 541-994-3636
- Oregon Department of Forestry (Toledo District): 541-265-4231
- Oregon Department of Forestry: 541-929-9154
- Oregon Department of Transportation (Lincoln Co Highways): 503-362-0457
- Oregon State Police Dispatch: 503-375-3555
- Pacific West Ambulance: 541-574-5814
- Seal Rock Rural Fire Protection District: 541-574-5811
- Siletz Valley Rural Fire Protection District: 541-574-5812
- Toledo City Police and Fire: 541-336-5555
Yachats Rural Fire Protection District and South Lincoln Ambulance: 541-574-5813
Local Emergency Alerts
Check Lincoln Alerts and other sources for updated information on local emergency events and disasters.
- Sign up to receive alerts straight to your email or through call/text: https://member.everbridge.net/892807736721689/login
- View sent messages here: https://member.everbridge.net/892807736721689/notif
- Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/lcemergencymanagement
- Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office website: www.co.lincoln.or.us/215/Sheriffs-Office
- The Call Center may be active during an emergency: 541-265-0621
Other Agencies and Resources
Refer directly to the agency to make a report, verify information, or request resources, such as:
- Non-emergency ambulance transfers
- Copies of police/fire reports
- Power outages
- Driving directions or road closures (tripcheck.com)
- Local burn bans
When calling 911:
- Speak clearly and be as calm as possible.
- State what emergency services are needed and why (fire, police, ambulance).
- State the exact physical address of where the emergency is happening.
- If you do not know the exact address, look for landmarks such as mile markers, addresses on mailboxes, street or highway signs, nearby parks, businesses, etc.
- If calling from a cell phone while driving, pull to the side of the road and park before calling.
If you can’t speak or hear when calling 911:
- Leave the phone off the hook after your call, do not hang up.
- Make noise so that the call taker knows you have an emergency.
- If calling from a landline (a hard-wired phone) your address should appear on the call taker’s screen. If calling from a cell phone, the call taker may get latitude/longitude close to your location.
- Text 911 and give clear identifiers to where you are located and what the emergency is.
For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.
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