April is "National 9-1-1 Education Month"

Eight national organizations -- "The Coalition for 9-1-1 Education" -- called upon educators, parents, public officials, and telecommunications industry leaders to join a national effort to educate the public on the importance of the 9-1-1 emergency call number system and its appropriate use during April, which is National 9-1-1 Education Month.

Retired NFL great Tim Brown, the national spokesperson for the Coalition, said: "the 9-1-1 system can save lives, but it requires dedicated individuals who care about public safety to take the time to educate a child or parent or teacher on how to use it." Brown said: "No effort to teach someone about 9-1-1 is too small. I want to encourage every parent, teacher, and public safety official to take some time out during National 9-1-1 Education Month to make sure their loved ones, students, and constituents understand the importance of 9-1-1."

The Coalition includes:

• The E9-1-1 Institute
• The National Emergency Number Association (NENA)
• 9-1-1 For Kids
• The National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA)
• The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO)
• CTIA -- The Wireless Association
• 911 Industry Alliance
• COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance.

On Monday, March 10, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted H. Res. 537 endorsing April as National 9-1-1 Education Month. The resolution, sponsored by Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chairs: Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Representative John Shimkus (R-IL).