Non emergency

“Non emergency” refers to situations or conditions that do not pose an immediate threat to ‘life, health, property, or the environment’ and do not require urgent attention. In contrast to emergency, ‘non emergency’ situations can be handled more cohesively, allowing time to “schedule services, make decisions, or plan responses.”

Types of non-medical “non emergencies” -

Residential/Commercial burglary that is discovered after the fact, with no ‘immediate danger or intruder on-site.’
Reports of excessive noise, such as loud “music or parties,” which may be disruptive but do not require urgent intervention.
Minor collision that left no one hurt.
Incidents like ‘car break-ins, vandalism, or minor property damage’ where there is no threat to personal safety.
Non-violent losses such as “missing/misplaced personal items or stolen wallets.”
Non-threatening animal issues, such as “stray animals, non-aggressive pets, or nuisance wildlife.”
Observations or ‘behavior’ of people that seem unusual but do not pose an immediate threat to safety.
Disagreements between neighbors over “property lines, noise, or other minor issues” that don’t involve violence.
Reports of vehicles ‘parked illegally’ or left unattended for extended periods.
Situations involving non-violent disputes, such as “landlord-tenant disagreements or consumer complaints.”
Peaceful “assemblies or demonstrations” that do not pose a threat to public safety but may require monitoring.
Assistance for individuals needing to retrieve personal belongings from a ‘location with potential for dispute but no immediate danger’ (e.g., during a divorce or roommate separation).
Problems such as “minor water leaks, non-dangerous gas smells, or partial power outages” that require repair but are not hazardous.
Situation when an employee is accused of minor policy violations that “do not endanger others,” do not involve the risk of evidence being tampered with, and are not actively criminal in nature.

Deal non-medical “non emergencies” -

Most police departments have a dedicated ‘non emergency’ phone line for reporting issues like “minor theft, property damage, noise complaints, and suspicious activity” (where no immediate threat exists). You can find the local number on your city/town’s official website.
Many cities provide a ‘3-1-1 hotline or equivalent local’ services for non-urgent municipal issues, such as “graffiti, broken streetlights, noise complaints, water-line leakage, sewerage leakage, and illegal dumping.”
For reports of public property issues, like “potholes, broken sidewalks, or abandoned vehicles,” see if your local Department of Public Works has a ‘phone line or online portal’ for reporting.
For non-threatening animal issues, such as “stray pets or nuisance wildlife,” contact ‘local animal control’ or a nearby humane society.
Minor neighborhood issues, like “trespassing or property” disputes, can often be reported to your neighborhood watch group or HOA if applicable.
Contact the relevant utility provider for non-emergency issues related to ‘gas, electricity, or water,’ such as “outages, leaks, or other service disruptions.”
Issues such as “abandoned buildings, housing violations, or illegal construction” are generally handled by your city or county’s ‘code enforcement office.’
On parking-related issues, such as “illegally parked or abandoned vehicles,” you can contact your county or city’s parking enforcement division.
For “disputes with neighbors” or other non-violent civil matters, many cities offer ‘free or low-cost’ community mediation services to help resolve conflicts.
For concerns about “environmental hazards” (e.g., minor chemical spills, improper waste disposal, industry wastes), local environmental departments often have reporting options.
Many municipalities now provide “apps or online portals,” such as SeeClickFix, to submit ‘non emergency’ requests or complaints directly to local government agencies.
‘Non emergency’ employee misconduct can be reported through “internal HR department, ethics hotline, labor unions, government agencies (EEOC, DOL, OSHA, etc.), whistleblower hotlines, state/local employment agencies, etc.”

Types of medical “non emergencies” -

Small wounds that can be treated with basic first aid, such as “cleaning and bandaging,” without the need for ‘emergency care.’
‘Small, superficial’ burns (like a sunburn or minor kitchen burn) that may be painful but don’t pose a serious health risk.
Symptoms like a “runny nose, mild sore throat, low-grade fever, sinus infection, and mild cough,” which usually do not require immediate medical attention.
Minute injuries to “muscles, ligaments, ankles, or tendons” that may cause ‘pain or swelling’ but can often be managed with “rest, ice, compression, and elevation” (RICE) technique.
Tension headaches or mild migraines that are not accompanied by severe symptoms, such as ‘confusion, vision changes, or high fever.’
Reactions such as “mild rashes, sneezing, insect bites, or itchiness” without severe symptoms like difficulty ‘breathing or swelling’ of the throat.
Mild ear ‘pain or discomfort,’ often due to “congestion or mild infections” that do not ‘impact hearing’ or cause severe pain.
Toothaches or chipped teeth without ‘severe pain, swelling, or risk of infection spreading quickly.’
Muscle soreness or stiffness after physical activity, which usually improves with ‘rest, stretching, and hydration.’
Mild “redness, itching, or dryness” in the eyes that doesn’t affect vision severely or cause intense pain.
Routine menstrual symptoms like ‘cramping, pain, and bloating’ that can be managed with “over-the-counter medications” or home remedies.
Symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and “pink, itchy eyes” that can often be managed with over-the-counter allergy medications.
Common issues such as ‘mild food poisoning, heartburn, indigestion, or constipation’ that can often be managed with over-the-counter treatments.

Deal medical “non emergencies” -

Primary Care Providers (PCPs): Can manage minor issues and ongoing conditions.
Urgent Care Centers: Ideal for minor injuries or infections with shorter wait times.
Telemedicine Services: Virtual consults for advice and prescriptions.
Pharmacies: Advice on over-the-counter treatments.
Nurse Advice Lines: 24/7 guidance on mild symptoms.
Community Health Departments/Clinics: Services for general concerns, often for uninsured/underinsured individuals.
Online Portals: Message/Chat doctors for non-urgent questions.
Employer/School Health Services: Wellness support, counselling and routine check-up.
Community Health Programs: For chronic and mental health support.

Report “non emergencies” related to health -

Food -

Using following options, “consumers, medical professionals, and food industry workers” can voluntarily submit a complaint or ‘adverse event’ (disease or severe allergic reaction) involving any food product other than ‘meat and poultry’:

Visit “accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/” to fill out an electronic Voluntary MedWatch request.
If you want to talk to someone about your issue directly, give an FDA “Consumer Complaint Coordinator” a call. The webpage “fda.gov/safety/report-problem-fda/consumer-complaint-coordinators” provides additional details.
Use the FDA’s SmartHub to report a product issue at “safetyreporting.hhs.gov/smarthub#/”.
Fill out the Voluntary MedWatch paper form (available at “fda.gov/media/85598/download”) and mail it to the FDA.

Please contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) if the issue pertains to ‘meat or poultry,’ and which are subject to U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations. The website “fsis.usda.gov/” provides additional details.

Dietary Supplements -

“Consumers and medical professionals” can voluntarily submit a complaint or ‘adverse event’ (disease or severe allergic reaction), for flaws in a dietary supplement’s “safety or quality,” at “safetyreporting.hhs.gov/”.

Vaccines -

The FDA and the “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” maintain the ‘Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System’ (VAERS), which is where adverse reactions and other issues pertaining to vaccines should be reported. Together, the FDA and the “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” (CDC) administer VAERS.

Filing a fake VAERS report with intention is illegal under ‘federal law’ (18 U.S. Code Section 1001) and is punished by ‘fine and jail time.’

Blood Products, Medicines, Medical Devices, Biologics, Special Nutritional’s -

“Consumers, patients, and medical professionals” can voluntarily report significant issues, that they believe are related to the ‘medications and medical equipment’ they encountered, through “MedWatch — The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.” Link “fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program” has more details about the program.

Serious “adverse reactions and incidents,” challenges with product quality, and ‘errors with product use’ are some of these issues. One can report online, over the phone, or “by mailing or faxing the MedWatch 3500 form.” To learn how to report major concerns, go to the ‘MedWatch How to Report’ page “fda.gov/reporting-serious-problems-fda”.

Blood Transfusions and Donations -

The FDA’s “Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research” is where you can submit initial notices of deaths due to transfusions and donations. Through, Voice-mail: 240-402-9160, E-mail: “fatalities2@fda.hhs.gov”, and Fax: 301-837-6256.

Link “fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/report-problem-center-biologics-evaluation-research/transfusiondonation-fatalities” has more details about the reporting.

Cosmetics -

Using following options, “consumers, medical professionals, and cosmetics industry workers” can voluntarily submit a complaint or ‘adverse event’ (disease or severe allergic reaction) involving any ‘cosmetic’:

Visit “accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/” to fill out an electronic Voluntary MedWatch request.
If you want to talk to someone about your issue directly, give an FDA “Consumer Complaint Coordinator” a call. The webpage “fda.gov/safety/report-problem-fda/consumer-complaint-coordinators” provides additional details.
Use the FDA’s SmartHub to report a product issue at “safetyreporting.hhs.gov/smarthub#/”.
Fill out the Voluntary MedWatch paper form (available at “fda.gov/media/85598/download”) and mail it to the FDA.

Tobacco -

“Consumers and medical professionals” can voluntarily submit a complaint or ‘adverse event’ (disease or severe allergic reaction), for a specific tobacco product, at “safetyreporting.hhs.gov/”.

Animal Feed -

Use the “Safety Reporting Portal” (link “safetyreporting.hhs.gov/”) to report issues with reportable animal feed if you are a manufacturer.

As a consumer, you can use the Safety Reporting Portal to report pet food issues or get in touch with the “consumer complaint coordinator” at your local district office.

Veterinary Products/Drugs -

Use the FDA’s Gateway-to-Gateway reporting or the “Safety Reporting Portal” (link “safetyreporting.hhs.gov/”) to report adverse drug occurrences, if you are a manufacturer. Through the “Electronic Submissions System” (ESS) and the “Rational Questionnaire (RQ) in the Safety Reporting Portal (SRP),” FDA’s CVM accepts electronic submissions of adverse medication occurrences for veterinary. Link “fda.gov/animal-veterinary/report-problem/veterinary-adverse-event-reporting-manufacturers” has more details about the reporting.

Consumers should call the FDA’s “Center for Veterinary Medicine” at 1-888-FDA-VETS (1-888-332-8387) to report any issues with veterinary ‘medications and equipment’ for animals. See “Veterinary Adverse Effects Voluntary Reporting” article at “fda.gov/animal-veterinary/report-problem/how-report-animal-drug-and-device-side-effects-and-product-problems” for additional details.

The comprehensive details are also available on the center’s website (“fda.gov/animal-veterinary” and “fda.gov/about-fda/fda-organization/center-veterinary-medicine”).

Radiation Products -

As a “consumer or medical professional,” if you would like to voluntarily report any suspected radiation-related issues or incidents, fill out and mail the “Accidental Radiation Occurrence Report” form to the FDA. Form can be downloaded from “fda.gov/media/79866/download”.

That’s all friends.