THIS 1974 PAPER, PREPARED FOR, AND DELIVERED TO THE REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS CONFERENCES IN OHIO AND MARYLAND, DESCRIBES IN NON-TECHNICAL LANGUAGE THE BENEFITS OF THE 911 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEMS, EXPRESSING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S SUPPORT FOR THE CONCEPT AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION. A BRIEF HISTORY OF SIMILAR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS IN VARIOUS EUROPEAN COUNTRIES IS GIVEN, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE 999 PHONE NUMBER IN ENGLAND, WHICH HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR OVER 30 YEARS. IN AN EFFORT TO DISPEL MISCONCEPTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, THE SPEAKER RECALLS THAT THE 911 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM WAS CONCEIVED TO MEET THE INCREASING NEED FOR A SPEEDY WAY OF SUMMONING POLICE ASSISTANCE IN RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF CRIME AND TO MEDICAL EMERGENCIES. A DRAMATIC EXAMPLE OF HOW 911 HELPED TO SAVE AN ACCIDENT VICTIM IS CITED. THE PAPER ENDS WITH THE CAUTION THAT 911 CANNOT SOLVE ALL OF ONE AREA'S EMERGENCY PROBLEMS, BUT IT IS A GATEWAY TO PROVIDING SOLUTIONS. LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS, TOGETHER WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE TELEPHONE AND ENGINEERING FIRMS, MUST MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT TOWARD IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 911 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM.