The legislature hereby finds and declares that it is in the public interest to shorten the time required for a citizen to request and receive emergency aid.  There exist thousands of different emergency phone numbers throughout the state, and telephone exchange boundaries and central office service areas do not necessarily correspond to public safety and political boundaries.  Provision of a single, primary three digit emergency number through which emergency services can be quickly and efficiently obtained would provide a significant contribution to law enforcement and other public service efforts by making it less difficult to quickly notify public safety personnel.  Such a simplified means of procuring emergency services will result in the saving of life, a reduction in the destruction of property, quicker apprehension of criminals, and ultimately the saving of money.  The legislature further finds and declares that the establishment of a uniform, statewide emergency number is a matter of statewide concern and interest to all inhabitants and citizens of this state.  It is the purpose of this chapter to establish the number 911 as the primary emergency telephone number for use in this state and to encourage units of local government and combinations of such units to develop and improve emergency communication procedures and facilities in such a manner as to be able to quickly respond to any person calling the telephone number 911 seeking police, fire, medical, rescue, and other emergency services.

Added by Acts 1974, No. 94, §1.