Where did it all start?  

This is hard to define, and much harder to answer.  We humans, when we found we were in
distress, will call out for help using our voices.  Or to put it another way, we humans communicate,
whether it's by voice, drums, fire or electrical or electronic means.  In so doing, we are letting
others know that we need help or other services.
With the advent of the invention of both the telegraph and telephone systems, emergency
communication became a very important part of these systems; to a point where our telephone
operators became our first real dispatchers and they became known as Central.
These people knew almost every person connected with the system where they worked.  They
had the knowledge of who to contact for almost any emergency, whether it be fire, police or
medical needs.  As these telephone systems began to expand, the task of providing this type of
service also expanded.
So where did it all start?  It started with the local telephone company.  And that telephone
company was in Haleyville, Alabama.  

                                                                      *The above information was written by Thomas B. Norling.



Some more facts about 911

    911 was first implemented in Haleyville, Alabama on February 16, 1968.
    
    Over 500,000 calls to 911 are made each day, or 190 million a year. Of those, 26.5% (or 50     
          million calls ) are from wireless phones (NENA,2003)
         99% of the population is covered by a 911 system, and 96% geographically; but 407            
          counties still have no 911 service (NENA, 2003)
    
    1,296 PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Point) are staffed by a single, on-duty dispatcher           
         (NENA, 2003) 67% of local police departments have E911 (Enhanced 911), while 22%          
         have Basic 911; 65% of sheriffs' comm center have E911, while 22% have Basic 911. (BJS,  
         1999 survey)
  
    At some agencies, usually the very large, urban cities, up to 80% of 911 calls are                      
         non-emergencies.

                                                            *The above information provided by Dispatch Monthly Magazine.