Montgomery County 9-1-1 System

What is 9-1-1?

Nine-one-one is the number most people in the U.S. and some in International countries call to get help in a police, fire or medical emergency. A 9-1-1 call goes over dedicated phone lines to the 9-1-1 answering point closest to the caller, and trained personnel then send the emergency help needed.

What is Enhanced 9-1-1?

Enhanced 9-1-1, or E9-1-1, is a system which routes an emergency call to the 9-1-1 center closest to the caller, AND automatically displays the caller's phone number and address. The 9-1-1 call taker will typically ask the caller to verify the information, which appears on his or her computer screen. In most areas, phone number and location information is not yet available for 9-1-1 calls made from a cellular/wireless phone.  Montgomery County currently has the capability for phone number information.  It is in the works for the upgrade to recieve cellular/wireless locations upon calling 9-1-1

Who pays for 9-1-1?

Each household or business pays a small monthly fee for 9-1-1 service on each telephone line that appears on their phone bill. There is no per-call charge for calling 9-1-1. However, EMS/ambulances dispatched through 9-1-1 may charge for taking someone to the hospital. This is a separate ambulance charge, not a 9-1-1 charge.

When should you use 9-1-1?

Never say "nine eleven", since there is no eleven on the telephone keypad. Always say 9-1-1.

Always call 9-1-1 from a safe place. If there is a fire in the house, get out first, then call 9-1-1. If there is an intruder in the house, hide or get out to call 9-1-1 from a safe place.

Know your address – have it posted near the telephone.  

Know the Township/Boro you live in.  Your mailing address may not be the Township/Boro you are actually located!

Rural residents should post directions to their house.

Never call 9-1-1 as a prank or joke. You could get into trouble, your parents could get into trouble and you could keep someone who really needs help from getting it.

9-1-1 is for people NOT animals. If you have a problem with a pet, you should call your veterinarian.

If you are not sure if you have an emergency, call 9-1-1 and explain your problem to the 9-1-1 dispatcher.

If you call 9-1-1 by accident, please don’t hang up. When the dispatcher answers, explain that you called 9-1-1 by mistake and that you do not have an emergency.

The History of 9-1-1

In the United States the three-digit telephone number 9-1-1 has been designated as the "Universal Emergency Number" for reporting emergencies and requesting assistance.

The concept of a common emergency telephone number is not new. Similar systems have been in service in several European countries for many years.

Great Britain was the first country to establish a universal emergency telephone number. Since 1937 any individual in the United Kingdom has been able to dial 9-9-9 and receive a prompt response to his or her request for assistance (police, fire, ems).

Other countries have developed similar systems:

Belgium - 900

Denmark - 000

Sweden - 80000

Japan - 119

Canada recognized the advantages of a single emergency number and chose to adopt 9-1-1 rather than use a different means of emergency reporting service, thus unifying the concept and giving 9-1-1 international stature.

The first catalyst for a nation wide emergency number gained momentum in 1957 when the National Association of Fire Chiefs recommended the use of a single number for reporting fires nation wide.

In 1967, the President’s Commission of Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice recommended that a "single number should be established nation wide, solely for the purpose of reporting emergencies". Other Federal Government Agencies and various government officials also supported and encouraged the recommendation. As a result of the immense interest in the issue, the President’s Commission on Civil Disorders turned to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a solution.

In November of 1967, the FCC met with officials of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company to find a means of establishing a universal emergency number that could be implemented quickly. In January of 1968, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company announced that within its serving areas the digits 9-1-1 were available for installation on a national scale as the single emergency telephone number.

The three-digit code 9-1-1 was selected because it was brief, easily remembered and had never been previously authorized as an official code, area code or service code. It also met the long range numbering plans and switching configurations of the telephone industry.

On February 16, 1968, Senator Rankin Fite completed the first 9-1-1 call made in the United States in Haleyville, Alabama.

Thanks and Appreciation to the Montgomery County EDS office for the above information.

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