The City of Kingsport is set to introduce a new automated answering system for the Kingsport Police Department's non-emergency phone line, a move aimed at streamlining caller queries and enhancing the dispatchers' focus on urgent emergencies. Announced to take effect on August 26, the updated system will greet residents with a menu of options tailored to different needs upon calling the non-emergency number, 423-246-9111.
According to the city's official announcement, this revamp is poised to reduce the volume of non-urgent calls inundating dispatchers, fostering a more efficient allocation of emergency response resources, and the new setup promises to direct residents to services ranging from water customer service, public works, non-emergency police, fire, and EMS inquiries, and even Kingsport City Jail and police records.
With distinct options such as handling water outages, garbage collection issues, and municipal queries for City Hall, among others, the system is designed to promote better civic engagement and response management. The non-emergency line will feature a series of prompts to help residents connect with the appropriate department without the need to engage dispatchers who should be readily available for critical incidents requiring immediate attention.
Urging the community to exercise judgment, the city’s guidance clarifies that true emergencies requiring a 911 call include life-threatening incidents, fires, crimes in progress, and other dangerous situations detailed in the announcement. Residents are advised to call 911 for situations such as life-threatening medical emergencies (including chest pain or choking), accidents with injuries, and any incidents involving weapons. Residents are reminded that while they should use this automated non-emergency number for routine issues and concerns, 911 remains the critical lifeline for urgent situations where life, health, or property are at immediate risk.
