@SUBJECT:3-1-1 to unburden 9-1-1   NOT !                             N
    In response to the "3-1-1 Police Non-Emergency Number" pilot project in
Baltimore, MD which was unveiled on October 02, 1996, I would like to make
the following comments.
    This was done in response to remarks that President Clinton made in
Sacramento, CA on July 23, 1996.  Personally, I do not feel that he had all
the facts and/or enough knowledge of the 9-1-1 system to make these
remarks.  Some of what he said is true, but it was also some what out of
perspective.
  *  Although some 9-1-1 systems do suffer from some problems, this is not
on a national level.  This is usually due to lack of state and/or local
funding, not enough staffing, not enough proper training for personnel and
the lack of public education in the proper use of 9-1-1.
  *  Creating this 3-1-1 or any other n-1-1 number will only cause more
confusion for the public.  When 9-1-1 systems receive a non-emergency call,
they can be transferred to a non-emergency number.  The 3-1-1 system is
being designated as a national community policing number.  What about all
of the non-emergency medical and fire calls that are received on a daily
basis.  And lets not forget all of the calls for animal problems, power
failures and etc.  Are we going to have n-1-1 numbers for these agencies as
well.  I sure hope not !
  *  All 9-1-1 agencies have non-emergency 7-digit phone numbers for the
public to use.  The public just needs more education on what a true
emergency is and when to and not to use 9-1-1.
  *  The cost of starting new 3-1-1 or n-1-1 numbers is going to be very
expensive.  The cost of equipment, staffing, and lets not forget PUBLIC
EDUCATION.  The public will have to learn a new number and learn when to
use this new number.  If we are going to do that, lets just teach them how
to and when to use 9-1-1 instead.  It makes more sense.
    Lets keep the 9-1-1 system for what it was intended to be.  One simple
number to remember and easy to call.  "One Nation - One Number."
    If the President is sincere in trying to correct the problem and the
Justice Department is willing to cooperate on it, lets take all these
efforts and the federal funding and apply it to the jurisdictions that do
need the help with 9-1-1.  Lets take the personnel that will have to staff
the 3-1-1 centers and put them in the 9-1-1 centers.  This makes more
sense.  Community policing is an excellent concept and I feel that it is
working well in a lot of areas.  These police departments are receiving
some federal money for this and why shouldn't some of this money go into
the 9-1-1 system.  After all, the community policing concept is what is
causing some of the 9-1-1 overloading now.
    I am a 9-1-1 Telecommunicator and I am very dedicated to my profession.
I am also very dedicated to serving and helping the public, especially when
they need help the most.  And right now, I feel they need help in keeping
the 9-1-1 system alive and working, without all the confusion of adding new
numbers for them to remember.
    Please join me in opposing the 3-1-1 and/or n-1-1 numbers for emergency
or non-emergency calls.  Keep 9-1-1....
- Jim Sorgman, 911 Telecommunicator
  Charleston WV
--- DB 1.58/005289
 # Origin: State and Local Emergency Management Data Users Group 
(144:6710/911)
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