The history of 9-1-1 Published June 1, 2010 By Tim Johnston 30th Civil Engineer Squadron fire inspector VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Emergencies don't happen very often. But when they do, you want to get help fast. No one wants to spend time looking up the phone number. That's why 9-1-1 was created - to make it easy. In the United States and Canada, dialing 9-1-1 on your telephone is the fastest way you can get help for yourself or someone else. Not too many years ago, people had to find the right phone number in an emergency. If there was a fire, people phoned the fire department. If there was a crime, people called the police. If someone got hurt, an ambulance had to be called. Finding a number for any of these emergency workers could be very confusing - especially if a person was in a hurry or in an unfamiliar area. Fire, Police or Ambulance Today, it's as simple as dialing 9-1-1. With those three numbers, you can reach the fire department, the police, or an ambulance. When you call 9-1-1, an emergency operator, called a dispatcher, immediately connects you to the person you need. In 1968, the United States government wanted one number that people could call for emergencies. They worked with the phone company to create a "universal emergency number". They decided that 9-1-1 was easy to remember. They also knew people could dial it quickly. The very first 9-1-1 call was made on February 16, 1968 in Haleyville, Alabama. Today 9-1-1 is used in most parts of the United States and in many parts of Canada. When to Call Sometimes people are confused when to call an emergency number like 9-1-1. It is very important to call 9-1-1 for any emergency. It is also very important to call 9-1-1 even if it appears an emergency is over. For example, when someone has used a fire extinguisher to put out a fire, you are still expected to call 9-1-1. Do not call the Emergency Control Center line (606-3911) to report a fire that has been extinguished. Do not call your boss or family members or anyone else first. Call 9-1-1 so that the fire department can respond in a timely manner to ensure that the emergency has been made safe. Call 9-1-1 during base exercises and fire drills. This is an opportunity to exercise the capabilities of the Emergency Control Center and give commanders real time exercise information. When relaying information to the dispatcher, specify whether it is real world, exercise, or fire drill. 9-1-1 in an Emergency The best way to handle an emergency is to be prepared before one happens. In the United States and Canada, the dispatcher will know where you are calling from because of a system called "E 9-1-1," which means your address is known to the dispatcher right away, just by you calling 9-1-1. It's still a good idea to know the address and phone number you are calling from in case the call is being made from a place outside of the U.S. or Canada. The 9-1-1 dispatcher must know exactly where you are and how to reach you. The police, firefighters, or ambulance crew needs to know where you are to provide help for the emergency. It's important to make sure you are safe before you call 9-1-1. If your home is on fire, for instance, leave the house before calling 9-1-1. You can always call from someone else's house or use a cell phone. You may feel scared or nervous if you have to call 9-1-1. That's OK. The dispatchers who answer the phone answer more than 1,000 emergency calls a year and are exceptionally well trained. Just stay as calm as you can. If you talk too fast, the dispatcher may have trouble understanding what's wrong and what kind of help you need. Speak slowly and clearly when you explain what's happening. The 9-1-1 dispatcher may ask you what, where, and who questions such as these: What is the emergency? What happened? Where are you? Who needs help? Who is with you? Are you safe where you are? Don't Hang Up! If you do have to call 9-1-1 in an emergency, be sure to stay on the phone. Do not hang up until the 9-1-1 dispatcher tells you it's okay to do so. That way, you can be sure that the dispatcher has all the information to get help to you fast!