What is 9-1-1?
9-1-1 is a special universal emergency telephone number which you can call when people have a serious emergency. It is an easy-to-remember "Emergency" number to use when you need police, fire, or emergency medical services when there is an immediate threat of loss of life or property.
How do I use 9-1-1?
When you have an emergency, dial the three-digit number and do the following:
Stay calm and speak clearly.
Be prepared to: Follow directions from the dispatcher and, State the emergency.
Can the hearing and speech impaired use 9-1-1?
Yes, in communities where 9-1-1 is available, a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) is connected to 9-1-1. Simply dial 9-1-1 and tap the space bar for response.
Can 9-1-1 be dialed from a cellular phone?
Yes, just remember to push the SEND button after you dial 9-1-1, in order for your call to go through. Be ready to give some descriptive location information, the 9-1-1 operator will need to know where the emergency is located, the Enhanced 9-1-1 is not currently available with the cellular phones.
9-1-1 is a three digit telephone number that has been set aside as a telephone number to be used in the event of an emergency to call police, fire or emergency medical help. In some European countries, a universal number has been in use for many years. Great Britain has used the digits 999 since 1930, Belgium used 900, Denmark used 000, Russia uses 03 and Sweden uses 9000.
The concept of the three digit emergency number in the United States is the result of the urging of some concerned citizens and the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement in 1967 that a single telephone number should be established nationwide for reporting emergency situations. On January 12, 1968, American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) designated the digits 9-1-1 to be used throughout the country as the dedicated emergency telephone number.
During the early 1970’s, small and medium sized cities such as College Station, Galveston, Alice and Odessa were the first to implement 9-1-1 emergency systems in Texas. By the end of the decade, approximately 20 such systems were in operation - the largest in San Antonio which included most of Bexar County. The combined systems reached approximately 20 percent of the state’s population.
The acceleration in planning and development of 9-1-1 has come about for two reasons:
Technological improvements have allowed the development of more sophisticated and effective systems; and
State legislation has been enacted to provide an optional method for organizing and funding 9-1-1 systems on a countywide basis.
Harris County was the first to establish a countywide district under the new legislation. The Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network, following enactment of Article 1432c in May, 1983, was formed in November of that year. The service fee was instituted in April, 1984, and the system became operational in January, 1986. Following this example, other districts soon began to incorporate their efforts to institute developed 9-1-1 programs.
In 1984, the second emergency communications district law was passed during a special session of the Texas Legislature. Article 1432d, applying to counties with over 860,000 population, allowed Tarrant County to create a district in April, 1985.
A third law, authorizing the creation of emergency communications districts, was enacted by the Texas Legislature in 1985. Article 1432e applies to counties with 20,000 or more population, allowed Galveston County to create a District in November, 1987. The service fee was instituted in 1988, and the system became operational in April, 1991.
In 1987, the 70th legislature passed Article 1432f, often referred to as House Bill 9-1-1 and later codified as Chapter 771 of the Health and Safety Code, which provides for a statewide approach to organizing and financing 9-1-1 throughout regional planning. Areas with existing systems had the option to remain independent or to be included in the regional approach.
As of September, 1989, all 24 of the state’s regional planning commissions had submitted plans for their regional systems. By January 1990, the Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications (ACSEC), established under House Bill 911, had reviewed and approved the plans, thereby authorizing the collection of revenue for 9-1-1 throughout the state. Statewide implementation is imminent as we move into the new millenium.
District staff interfaces with telephone companies on a regular basis, on fee collections and reports, data base, 9-1-1 service features, public education, and other pertinent issues regarding E9-1-1 service.
The District also studies the tariffs which the telephone companies file with the Public Utility Commission, to determine if or how a certain tariff may affect 9-1-1 service. The 9-1-1 service within our District is funded by a 9-1-1 service fee assessed on all local exchange access lines, including wireless (cellular) phones, these fees are transmitted to the District and are used to fund the 9-1-1 system. In those areas which are participating jurisdictions of the District, the Board of Managers sets the fee level each year as a part of the fiscal year budget approval.
Galveston County Emergency Communication
District
1353 FM 646 West, Suite 101
Dickinson, TX 77539
(409) 935-3911
Copyright © 2001 All rights reserved.