WHITCOM 9-1-1

WHITCOM 9-1-1 provides police, fire, and EMS dispatch services for all first responder agencies in Whitman County, Asotin County, and the City of Moscow. Our multi-agency 9-1-1 dispatchers operate radio dispatching equipment, multi-function telephones, recording equipment, computer-aided dispatch (CAD), GIS mapping program, and alarm monitoring software, to provide public safety services for community members and agency partners.

WHITCOM 9-1-1 receives incoming calls for police, fire, and emergency medical aid, as well as non-emergency requests from the public. Dispatchers evaluate medical and fire complaints, prioritize responses using international protocols, provide pre-arrival instructions, and update first responders on patient status.
WHITCOM 9-1-1
About Us
WHITCOM 9-1-1 is a regional dispatch center, providing law enforcement, fire, and EMS dispatch services for the following areas:

Dispatchers operate radio dispatching equipment, multi-function telephones, recording equipment, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software, GIS mapping programs, and alarm monitoring software to provide public safety services for community members and agency partners.
Become A Dispatcher
Becoming a 9-1-1 operator is an exciting and rewarding career choice! WHITCOM offers on-the-job training, so no formal training is required before applying. Please visit the City of Pullman Career Portal to learn more. Interested, but unable to apply now? Be sure to sign up for alerts to know when opportunities become available in the future. 
Emergency Reporting
Report an Emergency: 9-1-1
Interpretive services are available. Simply call 9-1-1 and state the language that is required.

When to Call
9-1-1 is the number to dial for the fastest possible emergency response for law enforcement, fire, or medical assistance. 

Call 9-1-1 when:

  • You see smoke or fire
  • Life or property are in immediate danger
  • A crime is being committed
  • Rescue or emergency medical assistance is needed
The 9-1-1 call taker must ask many questions in order to provide public safety responders with an accurate explanation of your situation. Please be patient and ensure that you answer all questions as quickly and as clearly as possible.

  • Stay Calm
  • Remember to Breathe
  • Speak Clearly
  • State the Problem
  • Listen Carefully to Questions & Instructions
  • Be Prepared to Provide Information
Unsure whether your situation is an emergency? Always err on the side of caution. Call 9-1-1 and let trained personnel determine how the call should be handled.

What to Expect

Call takers will ask for the following information during your call:

  • WHERE:  Where are you and where did the incident take place? 
    • This information is especially important in case the phone call is interrupted for any reason. 
    • It is important to provide building names or numbers, apartment or condominium names, and unit or suite numbers as applicable.
    • Be specific. Avoid using "left" or "right" as directions. Instead, use cardinal directions  (north, south, east, west) , or provide directions in relation to landmarks. The best location information includes specific street address, or cross-street information.
  • WHAT: What is the nature of your emergency?
    • Use real language, no slang or lingo, to describe what is happening, or has happened.
    • Be sure to include information about injuries, if any. 
  • WHEN: When did the emergency occur?
    • Let dispatchers know if your call is related to an ongoing issue.
  • WHO: Who or what is involved?
    • How many people are involved?
    • Include descriptive information as needed. (Race, sex, height, weight, clothing description, hair color, facial hair, eyeglasses, accessories, distinguishing marks, etc.)
    • Be sure to let the dispatcher know if weapons are involved, and if so, what kind. 
    • If reporting a criminal or traffic violation, you may be asked to provide additional information about the offending person/vehicle, including:  color, make, model, license plate number, number of doors, and direction of travel.
Do not call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency number to find out about street closures, weather, laws, or local regulations.
Non-Emergency Reporting
Non-Emergency Reporting: 509-332-2521
Interpretive services are available. Simply call and state the language that is required.

Unless you need an immediate response from law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical personnel, reports may be made to the non-emergency number above. By using this number, you help to keep 9-1-1 lines available for those experiencing true emergencies.

When to Call

The following are examples of non-emergent situations:     

  • Your house or car was broken into yesterday
  • A runaway child has returned home
  • Additional items need to be added to a previously filed burglary report
  • Your car was stolen sometime overnight
  • There is an abandoned vehicle on your street
Do not call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency number to find out about street closures, weather, laws, or local regulations.
Preparing Children to Call 9-1-1
If there was an emergency, would your child know how to get help?

The following tips are intended to help parents teach their children about the proper way to use 9-1-1 to report emergencies: 

  • When talking to your child, never say "nine-eleven". There is no "11" on a keypad. Always say "nine-one-one".
  • Teach children to report emergencies from a safe place. If they are in immediate danger (such as inside of a burning house), they should reach safety before calling for help.
  • Make sure that your child knows his/her own name (first and last), as well as yours.
  • Practice your full address (including building name and unit number) and telephone number. Post this information in an accessible location. 
  • Help your child learn to give basic directions to your home, from the nearest main road, intersection, or major landmark. 
Public Education
It is the goal of WHITCOM 9-1-1 to provide the highest quality of service possible to the citizens and agencies that we serve. It is our intent to establish formal relationships with the communities within our jurisdiction. 

WHITCOM 9-1-1 welcomes the opportunity to discuss our work or services with your group or organization! We would be glad to offer a tour of our call center, or to send a speaker to your location (as staffing allows). Public education programs are available at no cost.

For more information, please contact WHITCOM's Operations Manager or Director at 509-332-2521.
Deaf & Hearing Impaired Services
Each 9-1-1 station in the WHITCOM communications center is equipped with TTY capabilities. To access TTY or TDD, press the space bar until a response is received.
Interpretive Services
9-1-1 allows emergency calls to be transferred to an interpreter. Interpretation is accessible from any telephone. Simply call 9-1-1 and state the language required for your call. 
Text-to-9-1-1
WHITCOM 9-1-1 can accept Text-to-9-1-1 from those who are unable to call during an emergency. Text-to-9-1-1 may be helpful for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, or who feel unsafe and are concerned about being overheard by an intruder or abusive partner. 

How to Use Text-to-9-1-1:

  • Use your mobile device to create a new text message
  • Enter "911" into the recipient field
  • In the body of the message, include the specific location of the emergency (including the city and state), and the type of help needed (police, fire, or medical). Send the message. Keep the message brief and concise, without abbreviations.
  • Stay with your phone and be prepared to answer follow-up questions.
  • Follow instructions from the 9-1-1 dispatcher.
It is important to note that there are several limitations to Text-to-9-1-1 services. This system is only capable of receiving text transmissions, no photos, videos, or emojis. Texts to 9-1-1 are treated like all other calls. Due to the nature of text messaging, this type of reporting may take more time than a traditional voice call. The Text-to-9-1-1 system can only respond to texts in English.

While Text-to-9-1-1 is a vital tool that increases accessibility to emergency services, it is preferred to call  and speak with operators whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call 9-1-1 from my cellular phone?
If you dial 9-1-1 from a cellular phone, dispatchers will not know your exact location. You will need to provide location information in order for units to respond. 

Reporting over a cellular phone may present challenges due to static or interference. Please be patient and understanding if the dispatcher asks the same questions more than once.

When you dial 9-1-1 from a cellular phone, your call will be routed automatically to the 9-1-1 dispatch center closest to the cellular site that you are using. In some cases, your call may need to be transferred to the correct communications center for your location. Should this occur, please be patient. We will handle your call as quickly as possible.
What if I am hearing impaired?
Each 9-1-1 station in the WHITCOM communications center is equipped with TTY capabilities. To access TTY or TDD, press the space bar until a response is received.
What if I don't speak English?
9-1-1 allows emergency calls to be transferred to an interpreter. Interpretation is accessible from every telephone. Simply call 9-1-1 and state the language that is required for the call.
What if I dial 9-1-1 by mistake?
DO NOT HANG UP!

Tell the dispatcher that you dialed 9-1-1 by mistake, and that you do not need emergency assistance. Any time that a dispatcher receives a 9-1-1 hang-up call, the caller must be contacted to ensure that no actual emergency exists.

If your accidental 9-1-1 call is made using a business phone with several telephone lines, it may be impossible for the dispatcher to determine who, if anyone, needs help. This requires an officer to be dispatched to the address to confirm that no emergency exists. 
How do I become a 9-1-1 operator?
Becoming a 9-1-1 operator is an exciting and rewarding career choice! WHITCOM 9-1-1 offers on-the-job training, which means that no formal training is required prior to submitting your application. To view current opportunities, please visit the City of Pullman Career Portal. 
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