NCJ Number
63022
Date Published
1973
Length
4 pages
Annotation
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INSTALLATION, EQUIPMENT, LOCATION, COST, AND ADVANTAGES OF THE 911 EMERGENCY SYSTEM IN DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, ARE GIVEN BY THE SOUTHERN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY.
Abstract
THE 911 SYSTEM, WHICH TAKES APPROXIMATELY 12 MONTHS TO INSTALL IN DADE COUNTY, IS NOW USED IN OVER 200 U.S. COMMUNITIES. AS A MINIMUM CONSIDERATION, EMERGENCY CALLS FOR THE LOCAL POLICE AND FIRE AGENCIES SHOULD BE INCLUDED, AND, IDEALLY, AMBULANCE SERVICE. OTHER AGENCIES CAN THEN BE ADDED. PROBLEMS INCLUDE THE MODIFICATION OF 27 CENTRAL COUNTY OFFICES TO DISTINGUISH 911 CALLS FROM REGULAR 7 DIGIT TELEPHONE NUMBERS BEGINNING WITH '9', DETERMINING TRUNK ROUTES BETWEEN THE VARIOUS CENTRAL OFFICES, AND POSSIBLY INCREASING THE NUMBERS OF CIRCUITS ALONG THESE ROUTES. THE PROPOSED LOCATION FOR THE CONTROL BUREAU WILL BE THE CITY OF MIAMI COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT IN DOWNTOWN MIAMI, AND THE PRESENT COUNTYWIDE EMERGENCY NUMBER WILL CONTINUE IN USE UNTIL NO LONGER NEEDED. THE SYSTEM IS ESTIMATED TO COST OVER $50 MILLION, WITH THE COST TO DADE COUNTY AND ITS MUNICIPALITIES APPROXIMATELY $2,700 MONTHLY. A SINGLE NUMBER WAS SELECTED BECAUSE IT IS EASIER TO REMEMBER AND TO PUBLICIZE, ELIMINATES THE EXPENSE OF DUPLICATE FACILITIES AND ANSWERING LOCATIONS FOR EACH SERVICE, AND COULD BE USED FOR OTHER TYPES OF EMERGENCY CALLS IN ADDITION TO FIRE AND POLICE. USING 'ZERO' (OPERATOR) CALLS AS AN ALTERNATIVE WOULD RESULT IN A LARGE VOLUME OF NONEMERGENCY ASSISTANCE CALLS TO AN EMERGENCY CENTER. (AOP)