The Okotoks Fire Department have received an influx of calls lately on emergency situations that shouldn't be directed to them but to 9-1-1 emergency response.

The department can help a call if it's a non-emergency but even if there is a fire callers should be still using those three easy digits.

Sharon Forbes with the department says when in doubt call 9-1-1 to sort out your emergency instead looking for the fire department's number.

"When you call 9-1-1, their trained personnel will immediately assess your situation and based on the answers to the questions they ask you will dispatch the appropriate responders to your location," she says. "They can also arrange multiple types of responders like fire, ambulance and police immediately dispatched to your location depending what is needed they'll do it right away for you."

Forbes says its tough to handle a call in an emergency directly at the fire hall.

"The responses we get are 'I called the fire department, why did they tell me to call 9-1-1' there are a number reasons why you should call 9-1-1 directly when you have an emergency. One thing it's easier to dial 9-1-1 than to look up the fire station phone number and help will get to you faster by dialing 9-1-1."

If you do have any questions surrounding a possible emergency down the road or just have fire related questions that's when you should be calling the fire department and not 9-1-1.

"Please phone the fire department directly if you have information that you need or questions that you have we are there for you and we are very happy to help," Forbes says. "We just want you to get your help directly when you phone 9-1-1 in an emergency."