First City with 911

The following article appeared in the December, 1972 issue of a magazine called "Fire Fighting in Canada".

FREDERICTON, N. B.

FIRST WITH
UNIVERSAL CALL

911

New Emergency Phone Number To Be in Use in Dec.

The City of Fredericton, it is claimed, will be the first community in Canada to use the universal emergency reporting telephone number 911, effective December 3. Made possible by the installation of new switching equipment in NBTel's Carleton Street building, the 911 number replaces a seven-digit number that has been in use since the emergency reporting system was first introduced in Fredericton in May of 1971.

The system, which will also be used in Moncton, ties regular business and residence telephones into an emergency reporting centre. The console operator at this centre has direct lines to the fire and police department, the hospital and poison control.

John Robison, the city's administrator and treasurer, said the use of the number 911 will greatly enhance the system. He said callers are often forced to consult their directories to obtain the seven-digit number.

"It's going to be easily remembered by the citizens. The 911 number will be at everyone's fingertips," Mr. Robison said. The system adopted by Fredericton is also of benefit to businesses. These firms, including banks and jewelery stores, are connected to the system as a precaution against robbery, break-ins and fire.

Among its other advantages, the frequency of false alarms in the capital city has been, significantly reduced.

The use of the 911 number will coincide with the issuance of new telephone directories. They become effective Dec. 3.