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PLANNING FOR 911

NCJ Number
67628
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1978
Length
44 pages
Annotation
THIS NORTH CAROLINA PLANNING GUIDE FOR SETTING UP A 911 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM GIVES IMPLEMENTATION STEPS, OPERATIONAL AND PERSONNEL STANDARDS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS; EXISTING 911 SYSTEMS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER DESIGNATED THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES FOR PUBLIC USE IN REQUESTING EMERGENCY FIRE, POLICE, MEDICAL, OR OTHER AID IS 911. STEPS FOR IMPLEMENTING A 911 SYSTEM IN A COMMUNITY INCLUDE FORMING A LOCAL PLANNING COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES AND THE TELEPHONE COMPANY AND ELECTED OFFICIALS, DETERMINING THE AREA AND SCOPE OF SERVICE, REVIEWING THE CURRENT EMERGENCY REPORTING SYSTEM, AND PLANNING FOR 911. TO PLAN, MINIMUM SERVICE LEVELS, AVERAGE CALL VOLUMES, AND COSTS ARE GIVEN. OPERATIONAL STANDARDS REQUIRE THAT ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL AGENCIES WITHIN THE 911 SYSTEM'S BOUNDARIES BE INCLUDED; THAT 911 OPERATE 24-HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK; THAT CALLS BE RECORDED; AND THAT BUSY SIGNALS BE KEPT TO 10 PERCENT OF ALL CALLS. PERSONNEL STANDARDS REQUIRE OPERATORS TO KNOW UNIFORM ANSWERING AND PROPER CITIZEN INTERROGATION PROCEDURES, AND UNDERSTAND JURISDICATIONAL AREAS OF THE SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE 911 AREA TO PREVENT ERRORS. FOUR 911 OPERATIONAL METHODS ARE PRESENTED AND EVALUATED. OPERATORS MAY (1) DIRECTLY DISPATCH SERVICE, (2) TRANSFER THE CALL TO THE PROPER AGENCY, (3) RELAY THE CALLER'S INFORMATION TO THE PROPER AGENCY, OR (4) RETURN THE CALL TO OBTAIN THE CALLER'S INFORMATION. TO SAVE MONEY, EACH NORTH CAROLINA 911 SYSTEM SHOULD COVER A COUNTY. TECHNICAL STANDARDS, ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, AND A DISCUSSION OF THE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES NECESSARY FOR 911 SUCCESS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. FINALLY, EXISTING 911 SYSTEMS ARE EXAMINED IN WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., AND THREE OF THE STATE'S COUNTIES. TABLES, CHARTS, AND SAMPLE DATA COLLECTION SHEETS ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)