PULSE Magazine | April 2019 Issue

THE

HISTORY OF 9-1-1: A TIMELINE

This timeline provides a look back at the history of 9-1-1 and emergency communications. It tracks the key legislative events and technological advancements that have helped shape 9-1-1 into the system we know today. 1957 The National Association of Fire Chiefs introduces the concept of a single emergency number to report fires. 1967 A report to President Lyndon Johnson recommends the establishment of a single national emergency number. 1968 AT&T designates 9-1-1 as the national emergency telephone number. On February 16, 1968, Alabama Senator Rankin Fite made the first 9-1-1 call in the United States in Haleyville, Alabama. The Alabama Telephone Company carried the call.

1972 Canada adopts 9-1-1 as the national emergency number. The FCC recommends that 9-1-1 be implemented nationwide.

1973 The White House’s Office of Telecommunications issues National Policy Bulletin Number 73-1, which recognizes the benefits of 9-1-1 and encouraging its nationwide adoption.

1976 19% of US population is covered by 9-1-1.

1979 25% of US population is covered by 9-1-1.

1983 The first commercially-available cell phone is produced, setting the stage for dramatic changes in how the public communicates with 9-1-1. 1996 The FCC adopts rules for Phase I wireless location. Phase I wireless location mandates require carriers to provide a 9-1-1 caller’s phone number plus the location of the cell tower transmitting the call to public safety. Phase II location requires that carriers provide the latitude/longitude (X/Y) of 9-1-1 callers to public safety. 5 An X/Y is still not an optimal location for public safety, as it does provide a physical—or civic— address for the first responders. President Clinton signs the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act into law.  The Act outlines increased support for states to perform system upgrades and promotes further build out of wireless 9-1-1 service and “seamless, ubiquitous, and reliable networks”. 1999 The FCC adopts rules for Phase II wireless location. 

2001 97% of Us population is covered by 9-1-1.

2005 FCC adopts E911 mandates for voice-over-IP (VoIP) service providers.  The legislation requires VoIP service providers (VSPs) to deliver a 9-1-1 caller’s phone number and registered location to public safety.

12