9-1-1 Tips & Guidelines courtesy BIA/OJS-Mescalero Agency, Chief of Police James Veplay 

Top 10 Tips for Calling 9-1-1

DEVELOPED FOR INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY.COM
Created by a special 911 Lifeline, APCO, NENA team

IS A PERSON HURT OR IN DANGER? – DO YOU NEED THE POLICE, FIRE OR AMBULANCE?

Have you ever wondered whether to call 9-1-1?  Since 9-1-1 is for emergencies only, it helps to understand when to call and when not to call. An emergency is any serious situation where a law enforcement officer,fire fighter, or emergency medical help is needed right away. If you are unsure of whether your situation is an emergency, go ahead and call 9-1-1. The 9-1-1 call taker can determine if you need emergency assistance and can route you to the correct location.

IF YOU DO CALL 9-1-1, EVEN BY MISTAKE, DO NOT HANG UP THE PHONE.

9-1-1 call takers are trained to get the most important information as quickly as possible to get help on the way to an emergency situation. In an emergency situation, allow the call taker to ask you all the questions they need in order to get help there in the timeliest manner before you hang up or leave the phone. If you happen to call by accident, stay on the line until you can tell the call taker that you called by accident and there is no emergency. This saves the call taker from having to call you back and confirm there is no emergency or possibly sending police with lights and sirens to check your address for an emergency.

WHEN CALLING 9-1-1 DO YOUR BEST TO STAY CALM AND ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.

Staying calm can be one of the most difficult, yet most important, things you do when calling 9-1-1. It is very important that you stay as calm as possible and answer all the questions the 9-1-1 call taker asks. The questions 9-1-1 call takers ask, no matter how relevant they seem, are important in helping get the first responders to you as fast as possible.

HELP THE 9-1-1 CALL TAKER HELP YOU.

Listen and answer the questions asked. By doing this, it helps the call taker understand your situation and will assist you with your emergency until the appropriate police, fire or medical units arrive.

KNOW THE LOCATION OF THE EMERGENCY.

The wireless 9-1-1 caller must be aware that the 9-1-1 center that answers the call may not be the 9-1-1 center that services the area that the wireless caller is calling from. Look for landmarks, cross street signs and buildings. Know the name of the city or county you are in. Knowing the location is vital to getting the appropriate police, fire or EMS units to respond. Providing an accurate address is critically important when making a wireless 9-1-1 call.

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN HOW TO CALL 9-1-1.

Be sure they know what 9-1-1 is, how to dial from your home and cell phone, and to trust the 9-1-1 call taker. Make sure your child is physically able to reach at least one phone in your home. When calling 9-1-1 your child needs to know their name, parent’s name, telephone number, and most importantly their address. Tell them to answer all the call takers questions and to stay on the phone until instructed to hang up.

PRANK CALLS TO 9-1-1 WASTE TIME AND ARE ILLEGAL IN MOST STATES.

Be sure all members of your household are aware that prank or harassing calls to 9-1-1 will be dealt with by local law enforcement agencies.

POST YOUR ADDRESS CLEARLY AND PROMINENTLY AT YOUR ENTRANCE AND ON YOUR HOME.

Posting your 9-1-1 address at the driveway entrance and on your home will alleviate any confusion as to whether emergency responders have the correct location. Try using something reflective or illuminated so that it can be seen in the evening as well as during the day.

DO NOT ASSUME SINCE YOUR MAILBOX IS MARKED YOU HAVE POSTED YOUR ADDRESS – mailboxes are not always at the entrance of a driveway and usually are not marked clearly on both sides. Several cities and counties have ordinances for posting 9-1-1 addresses – check with your local ones. And always report missing street signs when noted – these not only help others find your home but are essential to emergency response personnel.

KNOW THE PHONES YOU OWN.

Educate everyone about the phone system in your home as well as your cell phone. Children may need to use the devices in an emergency and will need to know how to operate them.

Mescalero, NM

Mescalero Apache Telecom, Inc. (MATI) is one of nine telecommunication network owned and operated by a federally recognized tribe in the country. MATI was established in 1995, incorporated in 1999 and has been in service since 2001. They are a full service, state-of-the-art Telecommunication Company.

As the Jicarilla Apache Nation, takes strides to obtain better knowledge and expertise in telecommunications, MATI is more than happy to lend a helping hand. Establishing good working relationships and sharing knowledge between both tribes, Mescalero Apache and Jicarilla, about telecommunication intelligence is important. Mescalero will help Dulce communicate with the world pending an agreement between both tribes. 

Jicarilla Tribal Council Members, William Julian Jr., Ronald Julian and Romaine Wood, along with Miss Jicarilla Kaylee Wood recently visited and toured MATI’s high tech facilities and equipment.

Fun for the whole family!

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – In an ongoing effort to provide top-notch constituent service, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich’s (D-N.M.) staff will hold Mobile Office Hours on Wednesday, December 5 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the West Conference Room at the Tribal Offices in Mescalero. Staff will be on hand to assist residents who have questions regarding Social Security benefits, Medicare, immigration, veterans benefits, student loans, and other federal programs. All are encouraged to attend.

Constituents who are not able to attend Mobile Office Hours can visit the Helping You section of Senator Heinrich’s online office at www.Heinrich.Senate.Gov.

Mescalero – Wednesday, December 5, 2018

WHO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich’s Staff
WHAT: Mobile Office Hours
WHEN: From 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 
WHERE: West Conference Room, Tribal Offices, 108 Central Avenue, Mescalero, N.M. 88340
QUESTIONS: Contact Senator Heinrich’s Las Cruces Office (575) 532-6561

Watch VIDEO here.

Food Bank

For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome…

Mathew 25:35

For many years the food bank at St. Joseph’s Apache Mission Church has faithfully served the Mescalero Apache community, providing assistance to anyone on the reservation in need regardless of religion affiliation. Sister Robert Ann Hecker remembers back to 1995 when the Mescalero Ministerial Alliance established the food bank and she agreed to direct it. “It was located at St. Joseph’s because space was available there,” she said. “Flour, rice, beans, pasta, canned goods and occasionally a small amount of beef have been the main items needed to distributed. We do not receive any government grants but keep going on donations, including those from the Inn of the Mountain Gods casino, the postal workers and a collection from the community at Lenten services. Donations also arrive occasionally from area businesses and members of the community who are encouraged to also support the food bank.

Brian, Jennifer, and Lauren Wright have been major donors to the food bank. Brian’s maternal family is from New Mexico and he claims Apache heritage. They are active in the Mid-America All Indian Center in Wichita, Kansas. In 2012 they visited Mescalero and brought an SUV full of food and other household supplies to the food bank. They also coordinated efforts with UPS to have half a ton of flour shipped for no cost from the Hudson Flour Mill in Kansas. Since that first visit they have made several trips with their SUV full of supplies and have hosted fundraisers in Wichita to raise funds to assist the food bank and youth activities. This year they raised $7,200.00 for St. Joseph’s Apache Mission.

Thanksgiving is a special time for the Mescalero community and the Wrights. Last year their goal was to have at least 30 meals available for families. They outdid it and donated 38-42 turkeys. They plan to continue the goal this year and will bring the turkeys in their SUV, weather permitting. “We deeply appreciate everyone’s efforts to help us,” said Sister Robert Ann.

The food bank at Mescalero is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm. The telephone number to call for more information is 575-464-4473.