We are a Proud Supporter of 9-1-1 For Kids

In San Antonio, TX on August 17th, 2021, 10-year-old Gauge Lynde and 9-1-11 dispatcher Irene Jordan (Upton County Sheriffs) received the 9-1-1 Local Heroes Award Medal of Honor presented by NGA 911 and 9-1-1 For Kids ® during the APCO International 2021 Conference.

"We are honoring Gauge and what was achieved through the education of how to use 9-1-1, lives were saved. Without the training of 9-1-1 For Kids ®, an emergency situation would create confusion. But you’d be shocked at how calm these kids are in dialing 9-1-1 and walking through the situation as the dispatcher asks them questions like “can you hear them breathing?” and whatever else goes into triaging the incident.

With the training, these kids are like professionals and that’s really the value of 9-1-1 For Kids ®. Making sure that kids are educated in how they would interact with a 9-1-1 dispatcher, how their using 9-1-1, and when the situation does occur, that they can convey the situation really accurately to the 9-1-1 dispatcher." - Don Ferguson, CEO of NGA 911 You can watch the full video here

What is 9-1-1 For Kids®?

9-1-1 For Kids ® is a national and international training program developed by 9-1-1 communication officials, emergency medical, fire, and law enforcement professionals. The purpose of this program is to help reduce the high percentage of 9-1-1 misuse of non-emergency calls made to 9-1-1 dispatchers and emergency personnel.

Established in 1994, the 9-1-1 For Kids ® organization strives to empower communities through public and caller training. With a wide variety of tools available at 911forkids.com, the goal is to teach kids and the general public three basic points:

• When and when not to call 9-1-1 
• How to dial 9-1-1
• Most importantly, what to say to the dispatcher

The 9-1-1 For Kids ® program is recognized as the only public safety education program supported and endorsed by international APCO (Association of Public Safety Communication Officials); E9-1-1 Institute; NENA (National Emergency Numbers Association); and NASNA (National Association of Nine-One-One Administrators). 

NGA 911: A Proud Supporter of 9-1-1 For Kids ®

With the amount of calls dispatchers and 9-1-1 call centers receive each day, it’s vital to teach children and the public when it is and when it isn’t appropriate to call. How to dial 9-1-1, how to talk to dispatchers, and what to say are some of the most important aspects of using 911 to keep people safe and save more lives. With the 9-1-1 For Kids ® program, kids can learn how to handle a wide variety of situations, whether it be a fire, crime, medical emergency, natural disaster, or man-made disaster.  NGA 911 is a proud supporter of 9-1-1 For Kids ®. We are honored to do our part in helping children and the general public understand how to place emergency calls properly. In doing so, we can help communities. nationwide free up the phone lines and aid dispatchers in getting emergency care to those in need.