Make The Right Call

What happens when you call 911

When you call 911 for a medical emergency, Essex-Windsor EMS ambulances respond and time is of the essence. That is why it’s important to call only in emergencies and look for other options when a health-care crisis doesn’t require immediate attention. Call 911 when an injury or illness could cost someone’s life or ability to function without rapid medical intervention.

Here are some symptoms for which you should call 911:

loss of consciousness
sudden confusion, trouble speaking, dizziness
persistent, severe chest pain
sudden breathing difficulty or shortness of breath
fractured or broken bones
uncontrolled bleeding
a sudden, severe headache or vision problems
sudden weakness, numbness and/or tingling in the face, arm or leg
sudden severe pain
severe burns or allergic reactions

Essex-Windsor EMS works closely with the Central Ambulance Communications Centre, local hospitals and other responders to ensure ambulances are available when emergencies happen. When ambulances are tied up with non-emergency calls, this becomes more challenging. How can you help ensure paramedics will be available to attend to the most seriously ill and injured?

Here are options you can use for a non-emergency health crisis:

Contact your doctor or go to a walk-in clinic.
Set up a virtual appointment with a physician using the Urgent Care Ontario website, a service available to residents of Southwestern Ontario.
Call 211 to find out about health care services in Windsor and Essex County.
Use alternate transportation to go to a hospital emergency room.
Visit Health Connect Ontario or call 811 to talk to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You do not need to provide your OHIP number and all information is confidential.

Essex-Windsor EMS is encouraging residents to Make The Right Call by following the advice of health-care professionals and taking appropriate actions when they experience health-care crises.

A graphic showing increasing levels of urgency for a health crisis. It ranges from issues that can be remedied with self care to those that require a doctor to emergencies when you should call 911. When in doubt, call 911.