EMS public access through 911: A technological response to political tradition

Eleven years of 911 universal emergency telephone number implementation have resulted in only limited availability of the service across the country, although it is highly successful in well-managed systems. Further implementation, especially in urban areas, depends on telephone company policy and willingness of communities to participate in joint facilities, or to invest in expensive technology to automatically route service requests to the proper jurisdiction. Political decisions regarding technology application will play a critical part in future implementation. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and other Federal agencies seek to encourage both cooperative efforts and the development of affordable selective routing capability for 911 services.