The Importance of Emergency Service Call Interpretation

Imagine calling 911 in a time of crisis and not being able to communicate because of a language barrier. This should never happen. Everyone should be able to rely on emergency services in an emergency, no matter what language they speak.

Language Status in the United States

According to the 2025 U.S. Census, approximately 8.3% of the population (ages five and older) speak English “not very well.” Additionally, the influx of millions of international visitors to the U.S. each year further increases the need for multilingual support during emergencies. As a result, emergency service providers must optimize their operations to effectively respond to the diverse languages spoken by callers.

What is a 911 Interpreter?

911 interpreters are specially trained telephone translators who play a key role when handling emergency calls. Their mission is to obtain critical information from non-English speakers and ensure that the correct assistance is delivered to them in a timely manner.

Key qualities of an OPI translator:

1. Professionalism
2. Languages
3. Subject knowledge

Their training enables them to communicate effectively in high-pressure environments where survival can be a matter of life and death.

Why 911 Call Interpreters Are Crucial

1. Increasing demand

The need for 911 interpreters is rising as the number of non-English speakers in the U.S. continues to grow. According to the 2024 U.S. Census, more than 25 million people said they spoke English “not very well.”

2. Improve call processing quality

Trained 911 interpreters use effective techniques specific to emergency situations, allowing them to accurately convey information and improve response efficiency.

3 OPI's professional training

OPI translators receive specialized training to address unique challenges, such as translating without visual cues, which is very different from face-to-face communication.

4 Budget constraints

Many local emergency call centers cannot afford full-time translators. Outsourcing professional translation services can ensure communities have the necessary support.

5. Be prepared for any scenario

Emergency service centers must have access to top resources and technology to efficiently handle non-English calls.

6. Eliminate language barriers

Since not every 911 responder is multilingual, interpreters play a vital role in breaking down communication barriers.

How Arrow Translation can help

If you are a local emergency service provider looking for a reliable telephone translation solution to improve your operations, Arrow Translation has your back. We are committed to training and technical support to ensure that our interpreters are fully capable of responding to the needs of 911 services.

Our comprehensive training includes:

• Obtaining address information from Limited English Proficient (LEP) callers
• Respond accurately to the tone and urgency of the call as requested by the responding officer
• Dealing with cross-cultural barriers
• Respond calmly and effectively to emergencies

Reliable technical support

We provide translators with:

• The fastest connection speeds in the industry
• Security facilities requiring two-factor authentication
• Backup systems to ensure uptime
• HIPAA and PCI compliant security measures

Reliable operation guarantee

Arrow Translation operates a 24/7 network of contact centers across multiple locations, ensuring fast response times and secure handling of sensitive data.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a powerful telephone translation solution to optimize emergency services, consider working with Arrow Translations. With access to translators in over 170 languages and the latest technology, we are ready to support you in the moments that matter.

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