Part of being knowledgeable at PDX means staying informed about how to call for emergency assistance and what happens during that process.
Emergencies can be stressful and chaotic; feeling confident in the steps to get help when it really matters is key to providing exceptional customer service and keeping PDX safe and secure.
Who do I call for help?
Keeping an eye on your surroundings and maintaining a safe environment are part of your job when you work at an airport. But when there’s an incident or emergency situation, do you know who to call?
- For emergencies, call the PDX Communications Center at 503.460.4000. This number is on the back of your PDX badge. You can also dial 9 on a white courtesy phone, located throughout PDX. [Note: While you can dial 9-1-1, the call will be routed back to the Communications Center, so you'll get a faster response by calling 503.460.4000 directly.]
- For incidents that are not currently in progress – such as theft or vandalism – you can fill out a Police report online.
- If it’s not an emergency or if you’re not sure if you should fill out the online form, you can call the non-emergency Communications Center line at 503.460.4747.
The PDX Communications Center folks are always ready to help, so don’t hesitate to call! They can triage your report and send appropriate resources if needed.
What happens when I call?
When you call the PDX Communications Center to report an emergency, they will ask you some questions to help the dispatcher quickly assess your call.
You will always be asked:
- What is the location of the emergency?
- What is a number that I can call you back?
- Tell me exactly what happened.
Dispatcher questions are designed to focus on scene and responder safety; fire/rescue and medical response; caller/bystander instructions; and gathering information for responders. For medical calls, you should also expect questions about the patient: their age, if they are conscious and breathing normally and if they are completely alert.
Using a structured call-taking process helps gather key details in a timely manner so that the PDX Communications Center can correctly prioritize emergency responses. The process also includes pre-arrival instructions and scene safety recommendations to help keep employees and passengers safe.
As a frontline employee, you’re empowered to call the PDX Communications Center at 503.460.4000 when help is needed.
Thanks for playing a key role in keeping PDX a safe and secure place to work and visit.