Did you know that 46% of all motorcycle crashes occur at intersections? Or that, on average, three motorcyclists are killed every day in the U.S. as a result of multi-vehicle crashes at intersections?

Share The Road

All motorists are reminded to safely "share the road" with motorcycles and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe. Motorcyclists are reminded to make themselves visible to other motorists.

Get Ready for Riding Season

Invest in Good Gear

When You're Out on the Road

History of Clarion County 9-1-1

Established April 17, 1973 

Clarion County 9-1-1 was the very first 9-1-1 Center to open in Pennsylvania. The Center has been in existence since April 17, 1973. Since the opening, the Center, has been, and is still located at 421 Madison Road, Clarion, PA. In 1994, Clarion County 9-1-1 moved to enhanced 9-1-1 which provided the ability to show a caller's address information on a screen for the dispatchers to view. On April 4, 2006, Clarion County 9-1-1 moved into a newly remodeled room adjacent to the room that previously housed the 9-1-1 Center. The newly remodeled room provided a new phone system, new workstations, and other equipment options to assist the dispatchers with processing 9-1-1 calls. The remodel and the new equipment was a much needed application to prepare for future technology which will enhance cellular call processing and cellular location identification.

Clarion County 9-1-1 currently employs 13 full-time dispatchers and 5 part-time dispatchers. 9-1-1 operates 24 x 7, 365 days per year. Clarion County 9-1-1 dispatchers work 12 hour shifts. Training to work as a 9-1-1 dispatcher in Clarion County is very extensive. Each dispatcher must complete 790 hours of training to meet County and State certification requirements.

During 2007, Clarion County OES implemented a CAD (computer aided dispatch) system which allows all calls to be processed and documented electronically. In addition, Clarion County OES implemented software which allows the dispatchers to provide pre-arrival instructions for Police and Fire. Clarion OES has been doing the medical instructions for the past 5 years. The new technology also provided a means to locate cellular callers on our new mapping system.

Future goals of Clarion County 9-1-1 are to keep up with the technology and move forward to next generation 9-1-1 which will enable the dispatcher to process emergency calls from technology that is greatly advanced such as text messaging and video. The first and foremost goal is to provide excellent service to all residents of Clarion County and to the individuals who travel through the County that may encounter an emergency.

Using a Wireless Phone

When Dialing 9-1-1 From Your Cell Phone

1. Call only for immediate emergency assistance—medical, fire, or police.

2. Be prepared to provide your location and any essential information the dispatcher may need.

3. Stay on the line until told to hang up. You may be transferred to another agency.

Help Reduce Unnecessary Calls

• Use non-emergency numbers for your local law enforcement agency when you do not need immediate assistance.
• If medical, fire or police are already on scene, it is not necessary to call 9-1-1 again. Instead, call a non-emergency number if you have additional information or witnessed the incident.
• Do not call 9-1-1 for non-emergency incidents (i.e., requesting road conditions, asking why traffic is backed up, requesting driving directions, or other similar reasons). Be prepared; contact your local CHP office directly, using a non-emergency number.
• Use or maintain a landline at home and at work for 9-1-1 calls, as the dispatcher is more likely to get accurate location information from a landline.
• Using 9-1-1 in non-emergency situations prevents critical emergencies from being attended to.

HELP AVOID ACCIDENTAL CALLS WITH THE FOLLOWING TIPS:

• Do not hang up on an accidental 9-1-1 call. Inform the dispatcher that the call was an accident before you hang up. 
• Do not pre-program 9-1-1 into your or your child's cell phone's speed dial. This can lead to accidental calls.
• Teach young children how and when to dial 9-1-1 from a cell phone. Train them to press 9-1-1 and the “send” button only in an emergency.
• Even cell phones without active service can dial 9-1-1. Take batteries out of cell phones before recycling them or giving them to a child to play with.

Know how to use 9-1-1 with the phone you own

• Before you need help in an emergency, be

sure to understand how the type of phone

you use affects your call to 9-1-1.

• Cell phones may not automatically tell 9-1-1

where you are.

• Know the capabilities of the device you are

using (landline, cellular, VoIP) when calling

9-1-1.

Remain calm, be prepared

• Try to stay calm, listen carefully, give information

and follow all instructions.

• In an emergency, seconds matter, so being

knowledgeable and prepared can make all

the difference.

• Knowing when to call and what to expect

when you phone 9-1-1 can help reduce fear

and feelings of helplessness in an emergency.

Help 9-1-1 help you

• The more you know what to expect when

you call 9-1-1, the faster 9-1-1 can get you

the help you need.

• If you dial 9-1-1 for a non-emergency matter,

you are tying up resources that could be

needed in a real emergency.

• You can save a life! Follow all instructions

the 9-1-1 call taker gives you, and don’t hang

up until the call taker does.