Dialling a ten digit number when the guy has had a heart attack? I think three digits is good enough for emergencies.

I don't know if there should even be a conversation on 911 about the type of emergency. Maybe I have been reading too much or viewing too much TV, but if my house were being robbed and I dialled 911, I wouldn't have time to identify myself, give my address and describe the nature of emergency (well, at least in case of 'real' emergencies). It would best work where I dialled a short code (911 is short enough) and the emergency help arrived.

You could have separate numbers (like we have) for medical emergencies, crime-related emergencies and others (like calamities or natural disasters such as trees falling). The phone network should allow you to identify the caller's location and arrange for a QRT there.

I know the system will be misused, but at least as far as emergencies go I would prefer this one.

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