911 emergency call system

Definition
The 911 emergency call system is intended to give individuals a simple, easy-to-remember, routinely available number that can be used to reach an appropriate public safety provider during any life-threatening situation. }}

Overview
"Using a landline, wireless, mobile telephone, or voice over internet protocol (VoIP) system, a caller dials 911 and the call is routed to a communications provider facility that automatically forwards the call to a public safety entity such as a PSAP. Next, the call taker/dispatcher talks to the caller to determine the nature of the emergency and to determine the necessary first responders, while working to send (or dispatch) the appropriate first responders to the location. According to the National Emergency Number Association, there are more than 6,000 PSAPs nationwide, at a county or city level, that answer more than 240 million 911 calls each year."