When to Call 911 for Emergencies

Emergency Guidance from Pennsylvania PEMA

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has released a guide outlining when residents should and should not call 911. The document emphasizes that 911 is for life-threatening emergencies only, while non-emergency situations should be handled through other medical channels.

When to Call 911

Residents are instructed to call 911 immediately if they or someone else is experiencing:

• Breathing Issues: Difficulty breathing or choking.
• Allergic Reactions: Signs of a severe allergic reaction.
• Cardiac or Neurological Events: Symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.
• Mental State Changes: Confusion, disorientation, or dizziness.
• Physical Impairment: Difficulty speaking, walking, or seeing.
• Pain: Sudden, severe pain.

When NOT to Call 911

The guide explicitly lists scenarios where calling 911 is inappropriate:

• COVID-19 Inquiries: Seeking information about the virus.
• Transportation: Needing a ride to a doctor's office.
• Testing: Wanting to get tested for COVID-19.
• Mild Symptoms: Experiencing mild symptoms such as a fever, shortness of breath, or cough.

Additional Resources

For non-emergency medical needs, specifically regarding mild symptoms like fever or cough, residents are advised to call their doctor. For more information about COVID-19, the document directs users to health. pa. gov.