9-1-1 Past to Present

The idea of a “universal” system to reach help in an emergency system formed in 1957.  However, the progress to bring the idea to fruition took an additional 11 years.  The first 9-1-1 call in the United States was placed in Haleyville, Alabama on February 16, 1968.  Although it was a catalyst to implementing the “Universal Emergency Number”, it was not immediately available to everyone in the United States (NENA - National Emergency Number Association, 2013-2014).  The original 9-1-1 call received by the dispatcher only provided the voice connection.  The dispatcher solely relied on the information given by the caller to obtain the address of the emergency and associated callback number. The progression of 9-1-1 technology since implementation over 40 years ago is illustrated below (NENA - National Emergency Number Association, 2013-2014).

 

Technological advances and the introduction of wireless capabilities have drastically changed the information available for incoming calls received at a 9-1-1 center.  Although technology has increased the amount and type of information available to the 9-1-1 center based on the type of incoming call, the 9-1-1 infrastructure has not received a comparable update until the recent introduction of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1).

 

NG9-1-1 is an emerging technology offering the capability to transmit data to the 9-1-1 center. The implementation of the NG9-1-1 infrastructure impacts Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) significantly in various areas.  Although the platform to implement NG9-1-1 is available, it is not automatically implemented nationwide.  Determining to implement NG9-1-1 technology requires agencies to review funding possibilities, legislative mandates, procedural implications, educational and training requirements, confidentiality agreements, and psychological impacts.