Public Education
Massachusetts Enhanced 9-1-1
"Save a Life, Stop a Crime, Report a Fire"
On December 11, 1990 Legislation was enacted to provide statewide enhanced 9-1-1 telephone service in Massachusetts. That Legislation established the Statewide Emergency Telecommunications Board (SETB) who is responsible to coordinate and effect the implementation of enhanced 9-1-1, and administer its services for the Commonwealth. The SETB is also responsible for promulgating the rules and regulations for the administration of enhanced 9-1-1.
The Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) system automatically displays the address of the emergency caller and the telephone number at that location on a screen at the 911 Communications Center. The department that first receives the emergency call is called a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). In Massachusetts there are 270 PSAP's, some of which are regional and answer calls for more than one community.
The E9-1-1 program in Massachusetts is funded through a surcharge on the telephone accounts of Massachusetts citizens. The Massachusetts 9-1-1 System is considered one of the best in the country because of its redundancy. All persons that operate the 9-1-1 system are required to be certified through the SETB training program.
One of the goals of the State 911 Department is to educate to the public about 9-1-1 in Massachusetts and its many important programs. This includes the Massachusetts Equipment Distribution Program (EDP) and the Massachusetts Telecommunications Relay Service (MassRelay). If you would like to have a representative from the State 911 Department come to a meeting or event hosted by your organization to talk about our programs please fill out the Outreach Request Form 
and return it to the State 911 Department. If you have any questions regarding outreach or about the State 911 Departments Public Education program please contact Noelle Merchant at 508-821-7205 or noelle.merchant@state.ma.us.
Fast facts about 9-1-1 in Massachusetts
Voice Over Internet (VoIP) Consumer Information 
9-1-1 Calling Tips and Contact Card
9-1-1 Public Education Materials
NEW 9-1-1 NUMBERS TO KNOW KITS NOW AVAILABLE!!!
The State 911 Department is pleased to introduce the 9-1-1 Numbers to Know kid kits. To order this free kit and get more information please go to www.mastate911.com or you may call toll free at 866-213-8858.
Click here for 9-1-1 calling tips for kids
State Police are Eliminating *SP (*77) and *MSP (*677):
Remind Motorists "9-1-1 SAVES LIVES"
The Massachusetts State Police and the State 911 Department would like to remind motorists to dial 9-1-1 for all roadway emergencies. This is a fundamental cornerstone to ensuring a prompt emergency response of police, fire or EMS personnel. When you dial 9-1-1 on your wireless phone, vital information is presented to State Police dispatch personnel, including your approximate location. The dispatchers assess the information and notify the appropriate State Police barracks or the local authorities of jurisdiction. For more information about calling 9-1-1 from your cell phone visit our wireless 9-1-1 section above.
Analog To Digital Transition for Wireless Telephone Service…Will You Be Affected?
Over a million cell phone users could potentially lose access to 9-1-1 on February 19, 2008. AT&T Mobility, Alltel, Cellular One, Dobson, USCellular and Verizon Wireless and some other cellular providers have received Federal Communications Commission approval to turn off their analog networks. You will not be affected if you describe to SprintNextel or T-Mobile. This is a particularly important issue for people who have received older cellular phones from Donated Phone Programs. Click here to review the full release.
Disability Indicator Program -
The disability indicator program is voluntary for both the community and it's residents. The disability indicator form was created by a group of several different organizations representing the mobility, hearing, speech and sight impaired communities.
The information provided on the disability indicator form enables a special code to appear on the 911 call takers screen which alerts the call taker that a person residing at that address may require special assistance during an emergency. more...
For questions regarding our public education program, please contact Noelle Merchant at 508-821-7205 or noelle.merchant@state.ma.us