Near Two Harbors, 34 structures burned and Highway 61 closed; in Crow Wing County, a 1,600-acre fire sparked evacuations

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When most of us think about 911, we picture flashing lights and first responders arriving on the scene.  

But that fast emergency response starts somewhere else — with a person answering the phone. 

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a 911 call taker, a dispatcher, and the director of Minneapolis’s 911 call center about what happens after the phone rings — how they gather critical details, move information through the system and send help where it’s needed. 

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Every 911 call starts with a voice on the other end. MPR News host Angela Davis goes behind the scenes with 911 dispatchers and call takers — the voices that connect callers to lifesaving help. 

When most of us think about 911, we picture flashing lights and first responders arriving on the scene.But that fast emergency response starts somewhere else — with a person answering the phone.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a 911 call taker, a dispatcher, and the director of Minneapolis’s 911 call center about what happens after the phone rings — how they gather critical details, move information through the system and send help where it’s needed.

Behind the scenes with 911 call takers and dispatchers

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