Call 911
There is much speculation about the selection of the digits 9-1-1. 9-9-9 was chosen in 1937 in Britain with New Zealand later adopting the 1-1-1 system, which made dialing easy from a rotary phone. The technical switching considerations ultimately resulted in the selection of 911 in the United States. Speaker of the House Rankin Fite made the inaugural 911 call to the police station in Haleyville, Alabama.
Instructions
1. Know when it appropriate to call 911 and when it is better to call the non-emergency police and fire numbers. Post non-emergency numbers (for routine questions, information) near the phone or enter then in a cell phone.
2. Remain calm when calling 911. Remember to breathe and speak in a tone that is understandable to the 911 operator. Offer as many details as possible to the 911 operator, who may ask the same question more than once to verify details.
3. Clearly state the emergency and the location with as much detail as possible. Be prepared to answer about the relationship to the individual (son, spouse, neighbor) or the location (resident, neighbor, driving by).
4. Tell the operator the location and city of the emergency when calling from a cell phone. Give as much information as possible about the location when an exact address is unknown. Use street signs, landmarks and mile markers to help pinpoint the location.
5. Remember that a 911 operator knows the origin of a landline call but may ask the address in an effort to confirm the location. Be patient and cooperate to expedite the call. Keep in mind that help is usually dispatched early in the 911 call.
6. Educate children on the use of 911. Explain that the dispatch of police and fire personnel is a serious, costly matter and must only be called for in real emergencies. Explain the consequences of prank calls to 911.
7. Stay on the line as the 911 call is transferred to the proper authorities. Stay on the line as instructed by the operator. Expect to hear a series of clicks or silence as the call is transferred.
