Numbers of beloved ones, friends, relatives — all of them — you may sometimes forget. But, the emergency number 911 has been stamped in our memory since childhood. It is not only three digits but a real chance to seek help, protection, safety, or even support. There was no established emergency code until the 70s. If there was an emergency, people used to dial the numbers of the local ambulance hospital or police. Now, 911 may connect you to any emergency agency immediately.
As for history, the US authorities first met with one telecommunication giant (AT&T) in 1967. They discussed the implementation of 911 as a new emergency code. The goal was to come up with a simple number for people of all ages to remember. Moreover, they required a one-of-a-kind number, which hadn’t been utilized as a service or area code. And, because 9-1-1 had never been in use for public purposes, that was what they went with.
After that, the US Congress endorsed 911 as the national standard. This legislation was a success. It resulted in making it the only number for any emergency dialing service. The first call dated back to the beginning of 1968.
Read below to learn the key 911 system advantages of today.
One Number for All Occasions
Nowadays, the 911 system is a universal one. You do not have to memorize anything but these three numbers to act quickly when something bad happens. 911 eliminates the need to choose which emergency agency to call in one situation. The system connects you to the required emergency service by itself. Thus, you will hear professionals ready to assist you. If you have a heart attack or domestic violence, the system understands what lines to connect. Besides, you will be guided on crucial things to beware of.
Finally, the line is always free of charge, even for payphones.
100% Right Number to Call for Help
As mentioned, 911 eliminates the need to determine which emergency agency to call. Let’s take one example, the September 11 attacks, where thousands of people required help. This emergency line connected response agencies to approach that critical situation. Firefighters, police were all called to the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. And, they did their best to save people.
The same applies to burglary. The dispatchers are trained to guide people on steps to do and how to protect their lives. For instance, they will tell a caller to abstain from roaming around the house to catch the intruders.
Connection with Emergency Medical Dispatch Program
An emergency medical dispatcher is a skilled and trained communicator. It is a person tasked with collecting medical emergency information. They provide instructions over the phone before the arrival of the emergency agency. Besides, they dispatch EMS resources responding to an emergency call. When an emergency becomes obvious, patients get access to the emergency medical system by dialing 911.
The first immediate issue may be establishing the emergency’s location. Call-takers deal with this situation and can assist callers. They help to identify their position and then direct the first responders to the site.
High-Level Geolocation Recognition
If there is an unfortunate incident, dispatchers can find your property on a computerized map. When someone calls 911, they are redirected to a Public Safety Answering Point — a local contact center run by the government. A free-to-speak trained PSAP official takes the call and sees the information about the caller’s physical address (for landlines) or geolocation (wireless) from the phone provider. This data serves for connecting police, fire, medical services as needed. The system is called E911 (“E” stands for “enhanced”). It covers almost all the territory of the United States (approx. 96%).
Upon calling the system, you may specify the address where you expect help now. But, the system may also detect the location by itself. Then, it sends emergency services immediately.
Use of Devices for the People with Impaired Hearing
The ADA, or the USA Disabilities Act made public organizations offer deaf people easy and quick emergency services. This entails having direct access to 911 via special telecommunication devices (using text messages). Moreover, they can use any other preferred form of communication — TTY, caption/video relay, etc. Of course, voice calls are more useful, as dispatchers can hear the environment and figure out what is happening.
911 professionals must handle such requests professionally. This involves sending help in a sensible and timely way and utilizing the relevant resources. Recognizing such calls and responding to them promptly is one of the most important tasks of a dispatcher.
Those are the basic advantages and particularities of the life-saving 911 system.
