NCJ Number
63033
Journal
TELEPHONE ENGINEER AND MANAGEMENT Dated: (JUNE 15, 1974) Pages: 80-82
Date Published
1974
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A DESIGN FOR A 911 TELEPHONE EMERGENCY SYSTEM WAS RECENTLY COMPLETED FOR THE SEVEN-COUNTY METROPOLITAN AREA SURROUNDING MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL, MINN., AND MAY IMPACT FUTURE 911 METROPOLITAN SYSTEMS.
Abstract
SEVEN TELEPHONE COMPANIES PROVIDE SERVICE TO ALMOST 800,000 STATIONS WITH 85 EXCHANGES IN THE TWIN CITIES AREA WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 5600 SQUARE MILES WITH A POPULATION OF JUST OVER 2 MILLION PEOPLE. PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHING IS NOW DONE FROM ALMOST 60 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, AND OVER 200 LISTINGS FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE ARE PUBLISHED IN THE TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ARE THAT (1) EVERYONE IN THE AREA SHOULD BE SERVED; (2) THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE EXPANDABLE IN SIZE AND CAPABILITY, ADAPTABLE TO MODERNIZATION AND UPGRADE WITHOUT REDESIGN, AND REQUIRE MINIMAL TIME AND EFFORT TO CONNECT TO A SECOND PARTY OR LOCATION; (3) THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE AFFORDABLE; (4) IT SHOULD BE INSTALLED AND ADVERTISED IN A RECOGNIZABLE GEOGRAPHIC AREA,; (5) IT SHOULD COMPLEMENT AND BE BUILT UPON EXISTING OR PROPOSED PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCH SYSTEMS; AND (6) IT SHOULD TAKE MAXIMUM ADVANTAGE OF SIMPLICITY OF DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION. PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS LED TO A SYSTEM THAT WOULD EMPLOY FORCED DISCONNECT, SELECTIVE ROUTING, AUTOMATIC NUMBER IDENTIFICATION (ANI), AND AUTOMATIC LOCATION IDENTIFICATION (ALI). COST MINIMIZATION WOULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH MAXIMUM CONSOLIDATION OF FACILITIES, AND PRIORITY FUNDING WOULD BE GIVEN TO THOSE ACTIVITIES DECIDING TO CONSOLIDATE. CURRENTLY, THE LARGEST METROPOLITAN COUNTY IS DECIDING WHO WILL OR WILL NOT JOIN THE CONSOLIDATED DISPATCH CENTER. INITIAL COSTS ARE ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $1 PER CITIZEN WITH AN ANNUAL COST OF ABOUT .50 PER CITIZEN PAID FOR FROM COUNTY TAX FUNDS. FEDERAL FUNDING WILL GO TOWARDS INITIAL INSTALLATION. TABULAR DATA ARE GIVEN.