9-1-2
We all know how much emergency responders appreciate TIP. They appreciate our volunteers (“She was so professional.”); they appreciate our service (“She arrived in a timely manner.”); and they appreciate what we do for them (“I was able to concentrate on my job.”). I must admit that I have heard so many of these testimonials over the years that I thought I had heard every possible way responders express their appreciation for TIP—until a few weeks ago when my wife and I attended a TIP event where first responders talked about what TIP meant to them.
A Fire Captain spoke about TIP in a way I hadn’t heard before…
“When I was a young firefighter, our fire chief occasionally gathered us for a briefing. The common message he always conveyed at these meetings was that when residents called 9-1-1 and we responded, it was up to us to resolve the situation. We were it. If we didn’t help the people who called, no one would. To emphasize his point, the chief would end his pep talk with… ‘There is no 9-1-2.'”
By now I was on the edge of my seat. What was this 9-1-2? The Captain continued…
“But now there is a 9-1-2. It’s called TIP. TIP is our 9-1-2 resource. When residents need help, they call us. When we need help, we call TIP. Years ago, our chief was right—we had no one to call to help us on emergency scenes. There was no 9-1-2. Now there is. Thank you, TIP.”
I had never heard TIP volunteers described as 9-1-2 responders, but it’s a very brief and effective way to explain who we are and our important role in the 9-1-1 system. I am already revising the TIP presentation that I give to groups to include this 9-1-2 concept. My new presentation might begin with…
“All of you have heard about 9-1-1. And some of you may have even called 9-1-1. But I bet no one here has heard about 9-1-2. Let me tell you about it…”
Wayne Fortin, Founder