BOTH MANDATORY AND NONMANDATORY 911 SYSTEM STANDARDS ARE OUTLINED. THE STANDARDS WERE DRAWN UP BY THE STATE WITH THE COOPERATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES AND THE TELEPHONE INDUSTRY AND WILL BE UPDATED AND REVISED, IF NECESSARY, EVERY OTHER YEAR OR WHEN NEEDED. A VITAL LINK IN THE 911 SYSTEM IS A 911 PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINT (PSAP) OPERATOR WHO WILL SPEED EMERGENCY SERVICES TO A CITIZEN CALLING 911. PSAP WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR 911 CALLS AND MAINTAIN INTERAGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITIES FOR EMERGENCY COORDINATION. TELEPHONE COMPANIES WILL PROVIDE MECHANICAL INTERCEPT OF 911 CALLS, AND ALL FACILITIES OF 911 SERVICE WILL BE EQUIPPED AT ALL EXPOSED TERMINATIONS. MAJOR ISSUES INVOLVED IN 911 PLANNING ARE DISCUSSED. COMMON 911 SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS AND FOUR APPROVED METHODS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PSAP AND RESPONDING EMERGENCY SSEVICE AGENCIES ARE DEFINED AND ILLUSTRATED. PLANNING ACTIONS ARE DESCRIBED AND CHECKLIST PROVIDED AS A GUIDE TO ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO DEVELOP 911 SYSTEM: COMPOSITION OF A PLANNING TASK FORCE, SOURCE OF INFORMATION, INVENTORY OF EMERGENCY SERVICES IN THE 911 AREA, SELECTION AND LOCATION OF THE PSAP, AND CENTER MODES OF OPERATION. TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS ARE OUTLINED, AND COST ESTIMATES CITED. FORM PAGES ARE INCLUDED WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW. IMPLEMENTATION AND CONTINUED 911 OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS GUIDELINES CONCLUDE THE MANUAL. A GLOSSARY IS PROVIDED, AND FIVE APPENDIXES GIVE THE CALIFORNIA 911 TIMETABLE, PROGRAM LAW, A REVISION RECORD SHEET, A JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT GUIDE, AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE AUTHORIZATION ANND RESPONSIBILITIES. (MJW)