The Odessa (Tex.) American

March 30, 1970, page 1-B

NEW EMERGENCY NUMBER SCHEDULED FOR ODESSA

Odessans will have a new instantaneous link with emergency aid agencies beginning Wednesday.

The city has adopted the new universal emergency telephone number - 911 - which can be dialed to gain immediate contact with the appropriate agency.

The number will alert a trained dispatcher at the Odessa fire department, who will immediately relay the calls to the appropriate person.

The plans was worked out, at the request of city officials, by the Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. and, during the first year government agencies will pay $113 a month for the service. After the first year, the cost will drop to $59 monthly.

Agencies participating in the service include the fire department, the police department, the Department of Public Safety, the sheriff's department and the ambulance service.

Agencies not connected to the city will contribute $2.50 monthly toward the cost.

The service will be limited to telephones in the Emerson and Federal exchanges.

The telephone company pointed out that the new system has its advantages over the old practice of merely dialing the operator, since trained personnel will handle all calls.

At its own expense Southwestern Bell modified switching equipment in Odessa to provide the emergency number service.

"We are pleased to provide this service to residents of Odessa." said C.R. Styles, district manager for Southwestern Bell. "We appreciate the assistance of all city and county officials in making the necessary arrangements."

Styles pointed out that 911 will eliminate the necessity of looking up the seven digit number of a needed agency during an emergency situation.

"Southwestern Bell also will continue to provide emergency service through operators." Styles emphasized. "but 911 will be the fastest method available for securing emergency aid."

Styles said the Bell System established 911 as a universal emergency number across the nation because it is easily remembered and adaptable to existing telephone equipment.

A study of the feasibility of the 911 program was launched in December, 1968, after Mayor Jim Reese received a letter from Tommy R. Gregory of Odessa, telling about a magazine article on the effectiveness of the plan elsewhere [Haleyville, Alabama, which implemented the first 911 in the United States in 1968].

The telephone company agreed to install it here -- the first such installation in Texas -- after making studies over a period of several months.

Odessa's new emergency number, 911, went into service Wednesday providing an almost instantaneous link with emergency aid agencies.

The number, which can be dialed from any FEderal or EMerson exchange will alert a dispatcher at the Odessa Fire Department who will take the information, and relay it to the appropriate agency.

Agencies participating in the service include the sheriff's office, the police department, an ambulance service, the fire department and the Department of Public Safety.