9-1-1 Celebrate 50 Years of Service in the United States!

This year marks a significant achievement for 9-1-1! The number that people know to dial in the U.S. to reach emergency services, 9-1-1, is celebrating 50 years of service. On February 16, 1968, Alabama Speaker of the House, Mr. Rankin Fite, made the first 9-1-1 call from the Haleyville City Hall.

9-1-1 has come a long way since then and gone through several different type of phones used to reach 9-1-1 for emergency situations. Phones that we find indoors come in all shapes and sizes. They may have buttons or dials, and can sit on a desk or hang on a wall. They may have a cord that looks like a tail and attaches to the wall. Some have a curly cord that attaches the handset to the phone. To call 9-1-1 on a corded landline phone, pick it up and you will hear a dial tone. Push the “9” button, push the “1” button, and then push the “1” button again.

The phones that have no curly cords and that you can take all over the house are called cordless phones. These phones have a base and a cord attached to the wall. There is a difference between cordless and cell phones. To call 9-1-1 on a cordless phone, press the on or talk button, listen for a dial tone, and then push the "9" button, push the "1" button, and then push the "1" button again.

There are many variations of cell phones sometimes called smart phones. To call for help, push the “9” button, push the “1” button, and then push the “1” button again, then press the send button. The send or on button may be green or have a green icon.

 

When to Call 911

9-1-1 is the number to call when you need help in an emergency! An emergency is when something happens and you need the police, firemen, or an ambulance.  For example, if you see your neighbor's house on fire, that is an emergency!  If someone falls down and is badly hurt, that is an emergency too!  But, if your cat is stuck in a tree, that is not an emergency.

9-1-1 is not the number to use if you just need help from an adult or for pets. 9-1-1 should only be used in a real emergency and never as a joke!

WHEN to call 9-1-1: 

•when lives are at risk

•when you need the police, fire department, or paramedics

When you should NOT call 9-1-1:

•when there is no emergency

•for animals (except when they pose a threat to the safety of a person)

•as a game or prank

•for a joke

•to practice

Since then, 9-1-1 technology has evolved and continues to evolve to meet consumer expectations. Each advancement has improved our nation’s ability to get better, more reliable information to first responders so they can do their job of saving lives and property.

As we celebrate 50 years of service in the United States, it is an important reminder to the significance of 9-1-1 emergency services. Without 9-1-1, emergency services such as EMS, Fire and Police would not be able to get to those in need of help.
Most recently, a major change to multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) has been the introduction of Kari’s Law. In Texas, Kari’s Law requires direct access to 9-1-1 without having to dial an additional digit such as 9. This law is important because it ensures those who call 9-1-1 from an MLTS phone get the help they need.
As 9-1-1 continues to adapt to other needs of the community, consumers will see the adaptation of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911). NG911 includes 9-1-1 being able to find those in emergency situations quicker and pinpoint their location more efficiently. It also includes text to 9-1-1, which will eventually allow for consumers to send not only texts to 9-1-1, but also pictures and videos.
For 9-1-1 to provide the excellent emergency services that the community needs, adapting NG911 services will become more important than ever—especially when we have natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey. All of the Texas 9-1-1 Authorities are excited to celebrate 50 years of 9-1-1 throughout the United States and hope to see     9-1-1 continue to provide emergency services that fit the communities’ needs.

What will you be doing in your area this year to help celebrate 50 Years of 9-1-1? Email melinda.crockom@csec.texas.gov with information, pictures and videos and I will showcase your efforts in the future blogs!