Washington, D.C. – “Today the National 9-1-1 Education Coalition announces a new resource for everyone across the nation, stated Gregory Rohde, Executive Director of the E9-1-1 Institute.  We encourage you to visit know911.org/ 911.org for ideas on what you can do for National 9-1-1 Education Month.”

The site contains many free resources that can be used to promote education, awareness and outreach efforts.   In addition, this site will continue to grow with the input of our citizens, organizations and leaders across the nation supporting our efforts.

The National 9-1-1 Education Month Coalition members each adopted resolutions on April, 2008 proclaiming APRIL as National 9-1-1 Education Month. Each year, the coalition encourages groups, clubs and organizations to put special emphasis on 9-1-1 education.

The Coalition is an alliance of eight national organizations dedicated to advancing public safety communications who have joined together to promote 9-1-1 education.  The organizations are the:

• Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO);
• CTIA – The Wireless Association®;
• E9-1-1 Institute;
• National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED);
• National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA);
• National Emergency Number Association (NENA);
• 9-1-1 For Kids®; and
• 9-1-1 Industry Alliance (91A).

Each group is calling upon public safety officials, schools, government officials, and industry leaders to engage in a national effort to educate children, seniors, and the general public about the importance and appropriate use of 9-1-1 services.   During the month of April, these organizations will conduct special outreach to encourage more 9-1-1 education.

“9-1-1 education is critical at all ages,” according to Gregory Rohde, Executive Director of the E9-1-1 Institute.  “We encourage everyone to join us in our efforts to promote education throughout the month of April.”   Rohde suggested activities to include scheduling field trips to visit local 9-1-1 centers, asking 9-1-1 professionals from local 9-1-1 centers to visit your school, holding a street fair or block party, and offering to go to your child or grandchild’s class and read about 9-1-1.  “We can never do enough to educate the public about 9-1-1,” said Rohde.  “The commitment of this impressive coalition of public safety and industry  to dedicate time and effort to advance 9-1-1 education will help save lives and will produce a significant return on whatever effort is made,” he said.

Richard Taylor, Chairman of the E9-1-1 Institute Board of Directors stated, “The sheer power of our combined efforts is breath taking.   See more about the organizations at www.e911institute.org.