Consumer Information

The official emergency number in the United States and Canada is 911. Although the first 911 call was placed in Haleyville, Alabama in 1968, it was not until 1999 that the United States Congress directed the FCC to make 911 the universal emergency number in the United States for all telephone services. The 911 network is now a vital part of our nation's emergency response and disaster preparedness system. Emergency personnel and others often learn about emergencies through 911 calls. Dialing 911 quickly connects a caller to a nearby Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) dispatcher who is trained to route your call to local emergency medical, fire, and law enforcement agencies.

911 lines are designated for emergency calls, such as reporting a crime in progress, reporting a fire, or requesting an ambulance.

Using 911 for non-emergency calls may delay help for people caught in real emergencies. Some communities have designated the number 3-1-1 for non-emergency calls to police and other government services.

Information on communicating during emergencies and using 911 services:

• Communicating During Emergencies
• Wireless 911 Services
• Calling 911 From Your Wireless Phone
• VoIP and 911 Service
• Dispatch 911 - Do's and Don'ts of 911
• Mid-America Regional Council (MARC)
• Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) - Wireless and 911
• A history and timeline of 911

Information for Children

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  Safety City's EMS Page

KidsHealth

• How to Use 911