07/04/2026
Dear Hampton County… It’s That Time of Year!
We LOVE that you’re celebrating Independence Day, and we want everyone to have a safe and fun holiday. We also wanted to clear up a few things from inside the 911 Center. 😄
🇺🇸 “I heard gunshots!”
Maybe… but maybe not. Fireworks usually crackle, pop, whistle, boom, and sometimes sound like a grand finale. Gunshots are typically much sharper and don’t come with the sparkle. If you actually witness gunfire, someone is injured, or you believe a crime has occurred, absolutely call 911.
🐶 “The fireworks are scaring my dog.”
Trust us… they scare us too! We’re in a building with no windows, listening to loud booms and trying to figure out if it’s a celebration or an emergency. While we understand it’s stressful for your pets, 911 can’t stop the fireworks. Keep pets indoors, close the curtains, play some music, or check with your veterinarian ahead of holidays if your pet has severe anxiety.
☎️ When should you call 911?
Call 911 if there is:
🚑 A medical emergency
🔥 A fire
🚔 A crime in progress
⚠️ An immediate threat to life or property
📞 When should you use the non-emergency number?
Questions, minor incidents, reports that are not actively happening, or situations that do not require an immediate emergency response are better handled through the non-emergency line.
Our dispatchers are here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Every unnecessary 911 call ties up a dispatcher who may be helping someone through the worst moment of their life.
Have fun, celebrate responsibly, be patient with your first responders, and remember… not every boom is an emergency… but every emergency deserves an open 911 line.
Happy Fourth of July from your Hampton County E-911 Dispatchers!