911

911 (Emergency Telephone Number)

The number 911 is the emergency telephone number used in several countries, including the United States and Canada, to contact emergency services. It is a universal number that connects the caller to emergency services such as police, fire, and ambulance.

History

The concept of a universal emergency number was first introduced in the United Kingdom with the number 999 in 1937. The idea was to provide a single, easy-to-remember number that the public could use to reach emergency services quickly.

In the United States, the first 911 call was made on February 16, 1968, in Haleyville, Alabama. The number was chosen because it was short, easy to remember, and had not been used as an area code or service code. The implementation of 911 was part of a broader effort to improve public safety and emergency response times.

Implementation

The implementation of 911 services varies by country and region. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) oversee the standards and guidelines for 911 services.

In Canada, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulates the 911 services. Each province and territory is responsible for the implementation and operation of 911 services within their jurisdiction.

Technology

Modern 911 systems use Enhanced 911 (E911) technology, which automatically provides the caller's location to the emergency operator. This is particularly important for calls made from mobile phones, where the caller may not know their exact location.

The development of Next Generation 911 (NG911) aims to improve the system by allowing digital information such as text messages, images, and videos to be sent to emergency services.

Challenges

One of the challenges facing 911 services is the increase in mobile phone usage. While mobile phones provide convenience, they also pose challenges in accurately determining the caller's location. Efforts are ongoing to improve location accuracy for mobile 911 calls.

Another challenge is the misuse of 911 services, including prank calls and non-emergency calls, which can tie up resources and delay response times for genuine emergencies.

Also see

• Emergency service
• Enhanced 911
• Next Generation 911
• Public safety answering point
• Emergency telephone number