History of 9-1-1
The catalyst for the creation of a nationwide emergency telephone number occurred in 1957 when the National Association of Fire Chiefs recommended use of a single number for reporting fires. The code 9-1-1 was selected as it is brief, easily remembered and can be dialed quickly. Currently, 99 percent of the U.S. population has access to 9-1-1 service.
9-1-1 Call Volume
- An estimated 200 million calls are made to 9-1-1 in the U.S. each year, more than 500,000 daily.
- According to 9-1-1 call centers in Qwest's local service areas, summer is the peak season for 9-1-1 calls. As people spend more time outside and around the house, they're at increased risk for home emergencies - from drowning in swimming pools and falling from ladders and trees to heat stroke from the hot summer sun.
Basic vs. Enhanced 9-1-1 Service
Basic 9-1-1 means that when the three-digit number is dialed, a dispatcher in the 9-1-1 call center, or public safety answering point (PSAP), answers the call. The nature of the emergency and the location of the incident must be communicated verbally between the caller and the dispatcher.
Enhanced 9-1-1 - commonly referred to as "E9-1-1" - means that each call is selectively routed to the appropriate PSAP for the caller's location, and the PSAP has equipment and database information that displays the caller's phone number and address to the dispatcher. The term E9-1-1 is not synonymous with wireless 9-1-1. However, you do receive the full benefits and security of the service when you are in an E9-1-1 enabled area and you dial from a landline phone.
*Source: National Emergency Number Association
