Henrico 911 center teaches 8,000 children annually how to call in an emergency

HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - Henrico’s 911 call center answers more than half a million calls each year, with roughly 2,500 of those coming from children.

First responders are now using a tool called “911 Edu+” to teach kids how to interact with 911 dispatchers in emergencies and prepare them for certain questions that they may be asked.

“So it’s an entirely self-contained system, and we use this in the elementary schools in order to teach kindergartners, first and second graders, how to dial 911,” said Megan Reeves, hiring supervisor at Henrico 911.

The live demonstrations are designed to make kids more comfortable with the emergency calling process.

Reeves says they start by handing the children the phone and explain to them how to call dispatchers.

“She answers and provides the greeting,