Emergency intake
checklist builder
Generate a ready-to-use emergency intake script customized for your trade. Print it, share it with your team, or use it as training.
Your business details
Fill in your info and we'll generate a complete emergency intake script with trade-specific safety questions.
Greeting
Open the call with urgency and reassurance.
Immediate safety questions
Trade-specific safety questions to assess danger level right away.
Information capture
Collect the details your technician needs before dispatching.
Triage decision
Determine if this is a true emergency or urgent but can wait until morning.
Closing scripts
Two closing scripts: one for true emergencies, one for urgent-but-can-wait.
Powered by Turnkey Dispatch
Want the AI to handle emergency triage automatically, 24/7?
Turnkey Dispatch answers emergency calls instantly, asks the right safety questions, triages the situation, and dispatches your tech. No scripts to memorize.
See how it worksWhy you need an emergency intake script
Safety comes first
A panicked caller forgets to mention the gas smell or standing water near electrical outlets. A structured script catches dangerous details before you dispatch.
Consistent triage saves money
Without a script, every person who answers the phone makes a different judgment call. A checklist means real emergencies get dispatched fast and non-emergencies get scheduled properly.
Surcharge disclosure protects you
Disclosing after-hours or emergency fees upfront avoids disputes and chargebacks. The script handles it naturally so your team never forgets.
New hires get up to speed faster
Hand a new receptionist or dispatcher this checklist and they can handle emergency calls on day one. No guesswork, no missed steps.
How to use this checklist
Print it and tape it next to every phone in your office. Laminate it so it survives coffee spills.
Save each section as a note in your CRM or dispatch software so your team can reference it during calls.
Use it for training new dispatchers or office staff. Walk through each section and role-play a few scenarios.
Or let Turnkey Dispatch handle emergency triage automatically so your phone is covered 24/7, even when nobody is in the office.
of emergency calls are mishandled when there is no structured intake script in place
is all it takes to complete a proper emergency intake and dispatch a technician
cost to use. Generate as many checklists as you want. No account required.
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Frequently asked questions
What should an emergency intake checklist include? +
A good emergency intake checklist covers five areas: a calming greeting, immediate safety questions specific to your trade, information capture (name, address, phone, description of the issue), a triage decision framework to determine severity, and closing scripts with next steps. This tool generates all five sections customized for your business.
How do I train my team to use an emergency intake script? +
Print the checklist and do a 15-minute walkthrough with each team member. Role-play two or three scenarios: one true emergency, one that sounds urgent but can wait, and one that is clearly routine. Practice until everyone can get through the script in under three minutes. Review it quarterly or after any incident.
Should I disclose emergency surcharges during the call? +
Yes, always. Disclosing surcharges before dispatching a technician protects your business from disputes and builds trust with the customer. Most homeowners understand that after-hours and emergency service costs more. The issue only arises when they are surprised by the bill later. This tool includes surcharge disclosure language in the closing script when you enable it.
What counts as a "true emergency" vs. "urgent but can wait"? +
A true emergency involves active danger or damage: water actively flowing, gas leaks, sparking electrical, no heat when it is below 40 degrees, no AC when it is above 95 degrees, or a security breach like a broken lock. Urgent-but-can-wait situations include a slow drip, an AC that is struggling but still running, or a tripped breaker that resets. The triage section of this checklist gives your team clear criteria for each trade.
Can I automate emergency intake with AI? +
Yes. Services like Turnkey Dispatch use AI to answer emergency calls, ask trade-specific safety questions, capture caller information, triage the situation, disclose surcharges, and notify your on-call technician. It works 24/7, follows the script every time, and never panics. It is ideal for after-hours coverage or as a backup when your office staff is busy.