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111 HISTORY

FACTS & FIGURES

  • The world's first emergency phone number (999) to contact Fire, Police and Ambulance was introduced in Britain in 1937.

  • 111 was originally called
    One-Double-One    .

  • In 1957 their were 413,598 telephone subscribers, and the number of people waiting for connection was 35,330.

KEY EVENTS IN 111 HISTORY

1937

Britain introduces 999, the world's first emergency phone number to contact Fire, Police and Ambulance.

1951

TA Varley appointed as New Zealand's first Chief Fire Officer.

1952

Fire Service Council has discussed with the Post and Telegraph Department the possibility of the Department providing "an alternative to the street fire-alarm by way of a priority telephone call". The Fire Service Council is of the view that the street fire-alarm system has "outlived its usefulness" in most areas.

1953

  • Reports that considerable progress has been made towards the "change to the improved method of transmission of fire calls by telephone introduced last year".
  • Those in manual exchange areas are to be instructed to call the Post and Telegraph Department operator.
  • For those in automatic exchange areas, Post and Telegraph "is taking steps to install special apparatus which will enable a caller dialling the simple number '111' to be connected direct with the fire brigade". Notes it may take a "little while" to make this service available

1954

A major policy and Code of Practice has been agreed with the Post and Telegraph Department on a single emergency number

1955

  • The expansion of the telephone service throughout NZ is causing considerable difficulties.
  • Emphasises the need for efficiency in the arrangements for receiving fire calls and turning out the brigades, and how important it is to simplify the current procedure
  • Discusses the agreed duties of Post and Telegraph which centre around the two methods discussed previously (manual exchanges involving the operator while automatic exchanges connecting directly with the fire brigades)
  • Notes that some existing automatic exchange equipment cannot support the 111 facility and it will be some time before it can be introduced. Because of this it will be necessary to maintain street fire alarms in affected areas.

1956

  • Census figures put the total NZ population at 2,174,062.
  • Automatic telephone exchange installed at Masterton.
  • Considerable progress has been made in the introduction of the 111 facility with the first set of equipment to arrive shortly.
  • Provision is being made in all new automatic exchanges.
  • While not all details have been finalised, dialling 111 will, in the majority of cases, see the caller routed to the toll switchboard with an immediate response and priority over all other traffic. The operator will pass the call to the brigade, where appropriate by remote control apparatus, or by switching on the local siren.

1957

  • Total number of telephone subscribers is 413,598. The number waiting for connection at 31 March is 35,330.
  • Joint committee established. Representatives from Post and Telegraph, Police, Health Department and Fire start planning a common emergency number.
  • Due to various technical difficulties "progress has been slow and the scheduled commencement of 111 has not materialised." 
  • English post office equipment used for the 999 service could not be adapted for use in NZ, therefore the New Zealand Post Office will have to design equipment for our conditions
  • Reports covering the complete scheme will be submitted to the interested parties – Fire Service Council, Police, and Ambulance. A conference will be held to discuss requirements.
  • It may be many years before the 111 scheme will operate on a completely national basis.

1958

  • 111 introduced in Masterton and Carterton on 29 September as a trial.
  • Advised by the Post Office that work is progressing 'satisfactorily' towards the introduction of the 111 system
  • Masterton area will be the first centre equipped with the 111 service
  • Other areas likely to soon be suitable for adoption are Gisborne, Nelson, Wanganui, Greymouth, Timaru, and Invercargill
  • "The introduction of this emergency service will, I feel, be the most important advance in New Zealand Fire Service communications since the adoption of VHF radio."

1959

  • Raises some concerns about the misuse of the system by members of the public making non-emergency calls but is "quietly confident that in a very short space of time from its introduction into each new area the public will treat the emergency service with great respect and reserve its usage for genuine emergencies only".
  • Canada introduces North America's first 911 emergency number in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

1959-60

  • 111 extends to Gisborne, Pahiatua, Wanganui, Gore, Timaru, Invercargill, Hawera, Nelson, Hamilton and probably Napier.