County Commission | The Magazine April 2018 | Page 43

A voice from
Alabama’s
67 counties
Johnny Hart
Director, Marshall County 9-1-1
President,
Alabama Association
of 9-1-1 Districts (AAND)
A
Q
Tell us about Alabama’s
special significance in
the history of 9-1-1.
A
AAND is proud to celebrate
the 50th anniversary this
year of the first 9-1-1 call made in
this country. On February 16, 1968,
Sen. Rankin Fite completed the
first 9-1-1 call made in the United
States in Haleyville, Alabama. The
serving telephone company was then
Alabama Telephone Company. This
Haleyville 9-1-1 system is still in
operation today in Winston County.
Q
This has to be one of
the most popular public
services that local government
provides. What has stayed the
same over the last half century?
What has changed?
The constant is
that 9-1-1 is here
to provide the public
with a local access point
to request immediate assistance from
pol