The Problems of Implementing a 911 Emergency Telephone Number System in a Rural Region

A "911 system" is a system which uses the telephone number "911" to summon emergency services. The concept of one universal emergency number to call a centralized reporting center where the appropriate emergency service may be dispatched has great intuitive appeal. Three facts should be kept in mind when evaluating the potential benefits of 911. First, alleged benefits of a 911 system in a predominantly urban environment should not automatically be assumed to exist in a rural environment. Second, it is quite possible that the benefits of a 911 system can be provided at lower cost in a system that does not incorporate 911 as the entry mode. Third, the benefits of a 24-hour answering center capability can be obtained without a 911 system. Using the Capital Area Planning Council (CAPCO) region as an example of a typical rural area the problems of implementing a 911 system are explored. The report concludes that the potential benefits of a 911 system would be best recognized in a predominantly urban environment. A region-wide 911 system may be difficult to defend, but depending upon the costs it seems that at least certain areas of CAPCO could benefit from a modified 911 system. A proposal for implementing a 911 system in CAPCO is evaluated. The report further recommends that each county should appoint a task force to consider the problems and opportunities that a 911 system presents for the county.