911 FACTS | Greenup County Kentucky Public Safety

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911 FACTS

The 911 emergency system plays a critical role in public safety, providing rapid access to emergency services across the country. Below, you will find key facts that highlight how the system operates, its history, and impact.

Text-to-911 Yes! You can text 911. Text-to-911 is available in Greenup County. This service is designed for people with hearing or speech impairments or in situations where speaking could be life-threatening.	The first 9-1-1 call The first 911 call was made on February 16, 1968 in Haleyville, AL by Alabama Speaker of the House Rankin Fite to U.S. Representative Tom Bevill.	9-1-1 wasn't always standard Before the implementation of the nationwide emergency number, different cities and towns had their own emergency telephone numbers. Some rural areas even used fireworks or other loud noises to signal an emergency. It was in the early 1980s that 9-1-1 became the universal emergency number.
911 works without service Believe it or not, you can still call 9-1-1 even if you do not have a service plan. Federal law requires wireless carriers to provide emergency 911 services even if you have no service plan or prepaid minutes remaining on your account.	Only call for emergencies Calling 9-1-1 should be reserved for true emergencies. Non-emergency calls tie up the line unnecessarily and can prevent operators from answering emergency calls. If you are unsure if your situation constitutes an emergency, call our admin number at 606-473-1411.	Speed Matters Every second counts in an emergency. 9-1-1 operators are trained to help prompt the caller to give crucial information quickly and calmly. Now, innovative emergency telecommunication systems, such as NG9-1-1, allow dispatchers to locate the caller's location even if they cannot communicate their address.
Translation America is diverse, which means some callers may not speak English. That is why 9-1-1 agencies offer a translation service in over 140 languages so that non-English speakers can also communicate their emergency needs.	Mobile Phones Did you know that over 80% of 911 calls are made from wireless devices? Emergency call centers and wireless carriers work together to use mobile technology to allow for faster and more efficient emergency response.	More calls than you think According to the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), America's 9-1-1 system receives an average of 240 million calls annually. That's an average of over 1,200 calls per minute!

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