The first 9-1-1 call in the U.S. occurred on February 16, 1968 in Alabama. It was on that day, 56 years ago, that Alabama state legislator Rankin Fite dialed the number from Haleyville City Hall to the local police station. Six days later, the second call was made in Alaska.
To learn more about 9-1-1’s history, click here.
Locally, Polk County’s 9-1-1 dispatchers are readily available to help residents and it is no longer just through the phone. Text-to-911 is now available in Polk County. In the event of any emergency and you are unable to speak on the phone, text your address and nature of emergency to “911” and you will be connected to the Polk E-911 center, or the nearest Public Safety Answering Point (“PSAP”) depending on your location. Remember – text if you must, call if you can!
Did you know? Thousands of People in the United States call 9-1-1 every day, seeking help and assistance in a manner of urgency in a time of crisis. These calls are routed to the nearest PSAP. When a 9-1-1 call is made in Polk County, or from a cell phone that hits a cell tower in Polk County, the call for help is routed to the Polk County E 9-1-1 Communications Center, a department jointly integrated within the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Polk County Local Government. Highly trained and professional communications specialists staff this Center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to assist with whatever emergency that you may encounter.
When should you call 9-1-1?
An emergency may be considered as any situation that requires immediate assistance from law enforcement, fire department, or any ambulance services. A few examples include:
- Reporting A Crime
- Reporting A Fire
- Reporting a Traffic Accident
- Any Life Threatening Incident
- Request for Medical Attention
- Hazardous Chemical Spill
- Smoke Detector or Carbon Monoxide Detector Activation
- Suspicious Condition, Vehicle or Person
- Any Other Type of Danger or Emergency
An important note, If you are ever in doubt if the situation is a true emergency, call 9-1-1 and let the Telecommunicator determine the assistance that you need.
For more information about Polk County’s E-911 department, click here.