![Press Release: North Central Texas Emergency Communications District Responds to Citizens Not Dialing 911](https://www.nct911.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/dispatch-3.png)
Arlington, TX, June 22, 2020 – The North Central Texas Emergency Communications District launched its “Safe to Save Your Life Campaign” this week in response to the community’s hesitation to dial 9-1-1 during a medical emergency. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, citizens who are experiencing life-threatening medical emergencies such as a heart attack or stroke won’t dial 9-1-1 in fear of contracting COVID-19. This has led to 54% more patients pronounced dead on scene by North Texas EMS crews when compared to 2019, according to MedStar.
![911 Calls Have Decreased for Medical Emergencies Since COVID-19](https://www.nct911.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/frisco-dispatch.png)
The campaign includes local resources from health care providers, emergency medical services, and more. Citizens are encouraged to visit the NCT9-1-1 resource page for a better understanding of how emergency providers are preventing the spread of COVID-19. Videos, fact sheets, and additional links to more resources are available.
“We are concerned that the fear of contracting COVID-19 is preventing citizens in our region from utilizing the resources designed to help them,” said Director of 9-1-1 Christy Williams. “We hope providing education on what precautions have been taken will show citizens that it is safe to dial 9-1-1.”
North Texas citizens experiencing a life-threatening emergency such as a heart attack or stroke are encouraged to seek medical assistance by dialing 9-1-1 or visiting an emergency room. Hesitating to dial 9-1-1 due to fear of contracting COVID-19 could cost citizens their lives.
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About the North Central Texas Emergency Communications District (NCT9-1-1)
The North Central Texas Emergency Communications District (NCT9-1-1) is responsible for 40 plus Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in the 13 counties surrounding the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The district supports these PSAPs through maintaining and upgrading 9-1-1 equipment, providing up-to-date mapping information, training 9-1-1 telecommunicators, educating the public on the proper use of 9-1-1, and monitoring PSAP functionality and compliances. NCT9-1-1 serves a population of 1.7 million and 10,000+ square miles.