Why is "911" used for emergencies? Was it a purely arbitrary decision? Or does it have meaning?

Answer 1

Interesting question! Let me tell u the story behind the selection of this number and how it managed to survive numerous debates.

The push for the development of a nationwide emergency telephone number came in 1957 when the National Association of Fire Chiefs recommended a single number to be used for reporting fires. In 1967 the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice recommended the creation of a single number that can be used nationwide for reporting emergencies. The burden then fell on the Federal Communications Commission, which then met with AT&T in November 1967 in order to come up with a solution.

In 1968, a solution was agreed upon. AT&T had chosen the number 911, which met the requirements that it be brief, easy to remember, dialed easily, and that it worked well with the phone systems in place at the time. How the number 911 itself was chosen is not well known and is subject to much speculation. However, many feel that the number 911 was chosen to be similar to the numbers 2-1-1 (long distance), 4-1-1 (information, later called "directory assistance"), and 6-1-1 (repair service), which had already been in use by AT&T since 1966. Also, it was necessary to ensure that the 9-1-1 number was not dialed accidentally, so 9-1-1 made sense because the numbers "9" and "1" were on opposite ends of a phone's rotary dial.

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Answer 2

The ability to dial a single number to report emergencies was first used in Great Britain, in 1937. The British could dial 999 to call for police, medical or fire departments, from anywhere in the country. In 1958, the American Congress first investigated a universal emergency number for the United States and finally passed the legal mandate in 1967. The very first American 911 call was placed on February 16, 1968 in Haleyville, Alabama made by Alabama Speaker of the House, Rankin Fite and answered by Congressman Tom Bevill.

The new emergency number had to be three numbers that were not in use in the United States or Canada as the first three numbers of any phone number or area code, and the numbers had to be easy to use. The Federal Trade Commission along with AT&T (which held a monopoly on phone services at that time) originally announced the plans to build the first 911 system in Huntington, Indiana. Bob Gallagher, President of the Alabama Telephone, was annoyed that the independent phone industry had not been consulted. Gallagher decided to beat AT&T to the punch line and have the first 911 emergency service built in Haleyville, Alabama.

Answer 3

Way back in the old days, fire - police - and EMS had different phone numbers. For example, my fire reporting number was 117. Now pressing 1 first gets you long distance Dial tone.
I'm sure the choice of 911 had to do with "9" not being used for an area code nor a local prefix.

Hopefully someone smarter than I has the rest of the answer.

Good Question.

Answer 4

As far as I know it was purely arbitrary, but considering 411 for directory assistance was already in existence, I don't know why they'd pick that number. I have heard and read accounts of people dialing the wrong number (both for emergencies and for directory assistance). If it had been me, I would have picked, e.g. 999. It's just as easy to remember, if not easier, and it's far easier to dial - you don't have to move your finger from one button to another, you just keep your finger positioned over the one button and push it 3 times. But at this point in time, I think the argument, however logical, would be a lost cause.

Answer 5

It is easy and efficient to dial three numbers rather than dial 9 or 10 digits. Emergencies for disasters, accidents and crimes are the uses of the number 9-1-1. It must have some historic background associated with its numbers.

Answer 6

The code 9-1-1 was chosen because it best fit the needs of all parties involved. First, and most important, it meets public requirements because it is brief, easily remembered, and can be dialed quickly. Second, because it is a unique number, never having been authorized as an office code, area code, or service code, it best meets the long range numbering plans and switching configurations of the telephone industry.

Answer 7

I was going to make a guess that 911 was not in use as an area code or prefix in the country, but I see that BoardingJ has given you this answer already - as fact!

Answer 8

I used to work with 911.. It has no meaning.. just arbitrary.. easyier to dial also... Also.. it did not interfere with any area code numbers

Answer 9

As a matter of interest in UK and Ireland, All emergency calls are 9 9 9 and not 9 1 1 ............

Answer 10

Well, I read the explanation somewhere which goes like this.
its because the numbers nine eleven are located left top and right bottom edges of a keypad(phone), that makes it easier and faster for one to dial.