WHEREAS, Every year, hundreds of thousands of calls are received at 9-1-1 emergency system centers across the state; and

WHEREAS, Over 20 percent of all calls made to those 9-1-1 emergency system centers are “abandoned” calls, where the caller either hangs up or does not speak, all of which must be traced by emergency system center personnel at enormous public cost; and

WHEREAS, In Houston, Texas, public safety officials found that 50 percent of the 160,000 9-1-1 calls that were dispatched in 1994 were deemed not to be emergencies and, at a median cost of $350 for each basic emergency medical services response, the City of Houston alone could save $12,000,000 per year by eliminating these nonemergency 9-1-1 calls; and

WHEREAS, Many 9-1-1 callers are young and curious or thrill seekers who do not understand that their misuse and abuse of the system wastes public resources and diverts emergency personnel and equipment from others who desperately need help; and

WHEREAS, In 1991 the San Jose Police Department, the California Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association, the State of California 9-1-1 Program office, corporations, and individuals began a collaborative effort to develop 9-1-1 educational materials targeting children, ages 4 to 7 years; and

WHEREAS, In the summer of 1994, work began on a “9-1-1 for Kids” curriculum and set of educational materials that would deliver easy to remember messages about the proper use of the 9-1-1 emergency system, hold children’s interest, have universal appeal to all children, have guaranteed wide application, and have a long shelf life; and

WHEREAS, Emmy and Peabody Award winning Tony Urbano Productions joined the project team and created the 9-1-1 for Kids mascot, “Red E. Fox,” that has captivated children and adults alike and helped deliver critical 9-1-1 information in a fun and memorable manner; and

WHEREAS, The nonprofit organization “9-1-1 for Kids” was formed in 1995 to distribute training program materials to public safety agencies, schools, and community-based organizations throughout the state, and this tax-exempt organization is located at 355 Redondo Avenue, Long Beach, California 90814; and

WHEREAS, To date, the 9-1-1 for Kids educational program has been taught to over 1,000,000 children, ages 4 to 7 years, through the tireless, dedicated efforts of teachers, police officers, firefighters, and community volunteers; and

WHEREAS, 9-1-1 for Kids hopes to provide materials to teach another 500,000 children during 2001; and

WHEREAS, Children who complete the 9-1-1 for Kids classroom educational program will learn what an emergency is for purposes of using the 9-1-1 emergency system, how to place a 9-1-1 emergency call, and what to say to a 9-1-1 dispatcher in case of a police, fire, or medical emergency, and armed with this basic 9-1-1 information, children who complete the 9-1-1 for Kids training program will be able to call for help when they need it for themselves or for others, save lives and property, and avoid costly abuses of the 9-1-1 emergency system; and

WHEREAS, The State 9-1-1 Program, in the Telecommunications Division of the State Department of General Services, has recognized the 9-1-1 for Kids educational program as one of the most effective 9-1-1 emergency system classroom programs available; and

WHEREAS, National Football League star, Tim Brown, the captain of the Oakland Raiders and the 1987 Heisman Trophy winner, serves as the national spokesperson for 9-1-1 for Kids; now, therefore, be it