Department of Public Safety Communications

CONTACT INFORMATION: FOR EMERGENCIES CALL 9-1-1! (From outside of Fairfax County call 703-691-2233) or To Report a Non-Emergency Incident Call 703-691-2131.
703-691-2131 TTY 711 (See Contacts Page for Administrative Listings)
4890 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
Scott Brillman
Director

Community Outreach and Engagement

Connect With Us

The Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC), otherwise known as Fairfax County 9-1-1, understands the importance of building strong, safe communities. That's why we are committed to providing excellent 9-1-1 services and helping to educate the public about how to use these services effectively. 

On this page, you will find information about our community outreach engagement opportunities and efforts, as well as resources and tools to help you get a better understanding of our services. Help us help you by getting involved and make a difference in our community.


Do you know what procedures to follow when calling 9-1-1?

You've come to the right place to learn more about how we keep Fairfax safe and how you can help. We are a 24/7/365 provider of public safety emergency communication and 9-1-1 services. When seconds count, every bit of knowledge can help.

Our outreach program is dedicated to educating the public on the proper use of 9-1-1 services. With a focus on our community, we're working to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Outreach Activities Available Upon Request

Participants will embark on a scavenger hunt where they become "dispatchers" and must find and match different emergency situations with the appropriate emergency services (fire, police, ambulance):

Participants will be divided into teams and given a list of emergency situations. Each team must search the designated area to find and match the emergency situation with the appropriate emergency service. The team that correctly matches all the scenarios first, wins the challenge! Along the way, participants will learn about the different types of emergency services and what types of situations real dispatchers may respond to on a daily basis. This activity combines elements of scavenger hunts, problem solving, and teamworking - making it a fun and educational experience for kids and adults alike.

Participants will join in a role-playing game to act out different emergency situations and practice calling 9-1-1:

Participants will be given various emergency scenarios and will take turns playing the role of the caller and the dispatcher. The goal is to practice making 9-1-1 calls and to simulate the experience of speaking with a 9-1-1 operator. Participants will learn about the importance of staying calm, providing clear and accurate information, and following instructions when making a 9-1-1 call. This activity can be done in a safe and controlled environment and provides a hands-on learning experience for kids to better understand what to do in case of an emergency. The game can be adapted to different age groups and can be made more or less challenging depending on the level of participation desired.

Groups will test their knowledge with a "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" style PowerPoint quiz:

Participants will be divided into teams and will compete against each other in a trivia-style quiz show based on emergency services facts, 9-1-1 history, 9-1-1 procedures, among other things. The format will be similar to the popular TV show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," with multiple choice questions and increasing levels of difficulty. Teams will have the opportunity to use a variety of lifelines such as "50/50" and "Ask the Audience" to help them along the way. The team with the most points at the end of the game will be crowned the "Public Safety Communicator Millionaire." This activity is a fun and engaging way to test participant's knowledge of emergency services and 9-1-1 procedures. Because the knowledge gained is priceless, we won't be providing a million real dollars, but candy and/or small giveaways may be handed out as prizes!

Participants will receive a comic strip template to illustrate the steps to take when calling 9-1-1:

Participants will be given a comic strip template and asked to create a visual representation of the steps to take when calling 9-1-1 in an emergency. They can use images, speech bubbles, captions, and their imagination to show what to say and do when calling for help. This activity allows participants to use their creativity to reinforce the important information about making a 9-1-1 call. It also provides a fun and interactive way to learn and remember the steps to take in case of an emergency. This activity can be adapted to different age groups and can be completely individual or in small groups. The finished comic strips can be displayed or shared with others to help spread the message about the importance of calling 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Participants will decide when to call 9-1-1 in this sorting and matching activity:

Participants will be presented with various scenarios and will have to decide if they would call 9-1-1 in that situation or not. They will then sort the scenarios into two categories: "Call 9-1-1" or "Call Non-Emergency 703-691-2131." The scenarios are depicted by an image which is a sticker that will need to be cut out and stuck under the correct section. This activity helps participants understand the types of situations that warrant a 9-1-1 call and reinforces the importance of only calling in true emergencies. The activity can be completed individually or in small groups. The goal is to educate participants about the appropriate use of 9-1-1 and to help them make informed decisions in case of an emergency.

*May request changes or supplements to all activities on a case-by-case basis. To arrange for one of these activities at your event and/or other questions, contact DPSCoutreach@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Outreach Documents
Click the document links to view and print resources.
Fairfax Virtual Assistant