911 and other important numbers

Glenn Harper

Gloria Towne | All Around Towne Photography

If things flow according to plan, this column will run on Sept. 11, the 25th anniversary of the Twin Towers terrorist attack. September 11 has become a date that has overtaken Dec. 7 as a day that will live in infamy in the memory of most living Americans.

I wanted to acknowledge this momentous day that changed this country and our lives forever, and to honor the memories of those we lost and offer condolences to their families. 

I was curious if the terrorists selected the date of their attack to coincide with the 911 emergency phone number, but Google says they picked the date due to other factors and that it was a coincidence. I will say I’m less impressed with Google as a reliable source of information now that Google Maps has Lake Ontario labeled Lake America following the whims of a famous amateur cartographer with a Sharpie. 

Having said that, this is not the 9/11 I want to write about this week. I want to explore the 911 emergency phone number, its usage and other important emergency numbers. 

The U.S. Congress designated 911 as the official federal emergency number in 1999. 

Today, an estimated 240 million calls are made to 911 in the United States every year, according to NENA The 9-1-1 Association.

You should call 911 if: 

If you smell smoke or see a fire 

A medical emergency; unresponsiveness, chest pain, seizure, bleeding, cuts or burns 

If you witness a violent act or crime 

If you are in or witness a car accident with possible injuries 

Hazardous chemical spills 

Smoke detector, carbon monoxide alarm or other alarm sounding 

If you or someone else is in physical danger or feeling unsafe  

Among the senior population, it can happen that 911 is used incorrectly due to stress, anxiety and/or isolation. An isolated older person left to their own dark imaginings can have a panic attack and reach out to the only phone number they know, or can remember, even though their situation isn’t an actual emergency. This can place a strain on the system and sometimes becomes habitual. 

Enter OFD C.A.R.E.S from the Olympia Fire Department. From their website: 

“The Olympia Fire Department recognizes an underserved population of citizens seeking aid for social and non-emergent medical needs. The Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (C.A.R.E.S.) program offers a pathway between emergency services and applicable social service support programs. OFD C.A.R.E.S. focuses on social well-being, physical health, and chronic illness to mitigate ongoing concerns and frequent 911 usage," states the OFD C.A.R.E.S. webpage.

"Our clients receive sustainable tools and connections to culturally competent social service and mental health professionals, community resources, and health care providers available to provide long-term services and assistance.” 

You can get started by reaching out to the OFD C.A.R.E.S team by phone at 360-709-2675 or email ofdcares@ci.olympia.wa.us to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation. For more information, click here.

The 211 number is another short, easy to remember number to dial for various forms of support. Sponsored by the United Way, it can connect you to local resources.

From the United Way website: 

“(The) 211 is a free, confidential, multilingual helpline. It is your one-stop connection to local community services from utility assistance, food, housing, healthcare, elder care, childcare and after school programs, mental health supports and much more. 

"(The) 211 is always ready to assist you in finding the help you need. 211 has the most current and comprehensive database of community resources in the State of Washington (over 17,000 listings). Simply dial the three digit number 211 on your phone or find help here.” 

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, so a final number that I’ll include here is 988 — the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

From their website: 

“(The) 988 is a free, three-digit phone number that connects you to a trained crisis counselor via phone, text, or online chat. Crisis counselors are available 24/7 to support those thinking about suicide, concerned about substance use, worried about a loved one, in need of emotional support, and more.“

More information can be found here.

Here’s wishing you a safe weekend without emergencies, or stressful incidents, but if misfortune strikes, at least you have some numbers to call for help. 

In the week ahead, you won’t want miss the annual "Living Well – Living Long" annual conference on Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1925 Boulevard Road SE in Olympia. Sponsored by the Senior Action Network, this year’s conference theme is "The ART of Living Well." 

The public is welcome at this local conference, created especially for independent seniors who want to learn, connect, and thrive in the third chapter of life. Click here for more info. For other local events in the week ahead, click here. 

Glenn Harper provides support in aging and end of life. He is Chair of the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council and board member of the Senior Action Network. He facilitates several free Death Cafe and Elderhood Roundtable gatherings in the area where Elders are invited to talk about difficult topics in a nonjudgmental space. Learn more about these events here.