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Calling 911 starts the processes that we need to help you. Is someone sick or injured? Do we need an ambulance or a helicopter? Calling 911 gets those moving right away. Is there a fire? One volunteer usually can't do much. A structure fire can keep 15 or more people busy for hours putting it out, performing overhaul activities, investigating the cause, and so on. Your volunteer friend may be a part of that effort, but he or she will definitely want help, and calling 911 saves time getting it all started.
Remember that you need to be safe when you call 911. If your house is on fire, call from a neighbor's house or a cell phone in the driveway rather than staying inside. Regardless of the problem, don't become the next victim.
When you call 911, be prepared to state the nature of the emergency clearly, simply, and calmly. Know the location or address of the problem if possible, and if you know specifics - particularly about medical problems, injuries, and life safety issues - be prepared to give them. The dispatcher will share that information with the people responding to the incident. The dispatcher may also ask you to take actions that help the situation or keep you safer. For example, you might be talked through performing CPR, asked to turn off the power to the house, or send someone to meet responding equipment if your location is hard to find.
If you have a choice, call 911 on a land line rather than a cellular phone. Land line 911 calls go directly to your local emergency dispatch center. A cellular call may or may not go there, depending on several factors. It may instead go to the CHP and require transfer to your local dispatchers. That adds time to get you the help you need - particularly at peak commute times when the CHP dispatchers are most busy. It also adds a chance for information to get lost or garbled.
If you're honestly not sure something is an emergency you can still call 911. They will tell your call is appropriate, and you aren't breaking any laws. If the problem warrants an emergency response, it will get to you that much faster thanks to your call. But use your best judgment. When you call 911 you may be keeping a dispatcher from responding quickly to a serious event somewhere else.
Early and responsible use of 911 saves lives and property, so call it when needed. Your emergency response personnel will do their very best to help. Keep safe!
No one wants this information to get used, of course, but preparation for an unforeseeable accident is always a good idea. Keep safe!