NCJ Number
63023
Journal
TELEPHONY Dated: (APRIL 1, 1974) Pages: 27-29
Date Published
1974
Length
3 pages
Annotation
WRITTEN BY A SENIOR SYSTEMS PLANNER, THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE GEOGRAPHICAL, POLITICAL, AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF IMPLEMENTING A 911 EMERGENCY SERVICE SERVICE SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE U.S.
Abstract
THE CONCLUSION THAT 911 WILL SOON BE IMPLEMENTED ON A NATIONWIDE BASIS IS BASED ON (1) THE LONG-TERM EXISTENCE OF A UNIVERSAL EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER IN SEVERAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES; (2) THE SUPPORT OF THE EMERGENCY NUMBER CONCEPT BY THE PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE; (3) THE AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH ANNOUNCEMENT TO PROVIDE 911 FOR USE WITHIN ITS SUBSIDIARIES; (4) THE LEGAL IMPLEMENTATION OF 911 BY CALIFORNIA, MASSACHUSETTS, AND NEW YORK; (5) THE EXISTENCE OF 300 OF THE SYSTEMS SERVING MORE THAN 22 MILLION PEOPLE INCLUDING BOSTON, NEW YORK CITY, OMAHA, SEATTLE, AND DETROIT; AND (6) THE REQUIREMENT THAT 911 PLANNING BE INCORPORATED IN THE PLANS OF FEDERALLY ASSISTED COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAMS. THIS MEANS THAT PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES MAY NEED TO CONSOLIDATE EMERGENCY ANSWERING SERVICES AND THAT TELEPHONE COMPANIES NEED TO PROVIDE SOME METHOD OF SELECTIVE ROUTING BY COUNTY BOUNDARIES TO SOLVE POSSIBLE GEOGRAPHIC-POLITICAL PROBLEMS. IN ADDITION, TWO-TIER PRICING SCHEMES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED WITH A ONE-TIME CHARGE FOR PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT AND A RECURRING CHARGE FOR MAINTENANCE. SYSTEM FEATURES WILL INCLUDE SIMPLE 911 SELECTIVE ROUTING, AUTOMATIC NUMBER AND LOCATION IDENTIFICATION, FORCED DISCONNECT, PAYSTATIONS, MULTIPARTY LINES, CALL-HOLD AND RING-BACK, AND AUTOMATIC DIALERS. IMPLEMENTATION MAY REQUIRE A CATALYST, POSSIBLY A LARGE ORGANIZATION SUCH AS A FEDERAL MILITARY INSTALLATION OR PRIVATE FOUNDATION, TO EFFECT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TELEPHONE COMPANY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES DURING THE PLANNING PROCESS. AN IMPLEMENTATION DIAGRAM IS INCLUDED. (AOP)