Why was 911 decided to be the shorthand dial for emergency numbers? Why not other combinations that are easier to remember (e.g. 111, 123, etc.)?

Question

Why was 911 decided to be the shorthand dial for emergency numbers? Why not other combinations that are easier to remember (e.g. 111, 123, etc.)?

In: Other

Answer 1

This is only the case in America; in other countries there is another code (I believe in the UK it’s 999).

911 was chosen in America because the government, when establishing it in the 60s, wanted there to be a short, easy-to-remember combination of numbers that could be thought of under stress; 911 had no prior associations like an area code to anywhere in the country, and so it was chosen.

From [here:](https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/here-s-why-911-became-the-number-for-emergencies/ar-AAG1w66)

>“The code 911 was chosen because it best fit the needs of all parties involved,” according to the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). “First, and most important, it met public requirements because it is brief, easily remembered, and can be dialed quickly. Second, because it is a unique number, never having been authorized as an office code, area code or service code, it best met the long range numbering plans and switching configurations of the telephone industry.”