SHERIFF TALKS TO FIRST GRADE STUDENTS ABOUT HOW TO DIAL 9-1-1

First Grade students from the Taylor Mills School in Manalapan learned how to call 9-1-1 with help from Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno and public safety telecommunicators from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office on April 23rd. SEEK (Sheriff’s Emergency Education for Kids) 9-1-1 teaches first grade students how to use the 9-1-1 emergency number properly.

The program was presented to 8 first grade classes. The students were sworn in as deputy sheriffs for the day and then it was all about learning who to call during an emergency. “The importance of using the 9-1-1 emergency call-in number is vital to public safety,” said Sheriff Kim Guadagno. “The goal of SEEK 9-1-1 is to teach children how to get help quickly for their own safety and for their families.”

The SEEK 9-1-1 program includes a fun video featuring animated characters and a catchy theme song reinforcing the central message. Instructors also provide a hands on interactive session using telephone simulators to role play various emergency scenarios. Scenarios include what happens when a child hangs up without speaking to a 9-1-1 telecommunicator, handling an injury, what to do if you are home alone and see a prowler and when it is not appropriate to call 9-1-1.

The Monmouth County 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Center serves 43 of the county’s 53 municipalities and receives more than 800 calls per day. Approximately 30 percent of the 9-1-1 calls received each year are wrong numbers, prank calls, hang ups or non emergencies. During the presentation, SEEK 9-1-1 instructors emphasize the appropriate times to call 9-1-1 and when other non emergency phone numbers should be used.

“The Sheriff’s Office is committed to safety and youth education and we’re proud to make the SEEK 9-1-1 program available to the Taylor Mills School,” said Sheriff Guadagno. “It’s important for students and adults to remember to SEEK 9-1-1 during an emergency.”

For more information contact Undersheriff Cynthia Scott at (732) 577-6613 or visit www.sheriffguadagno.com.