On Monday, NENA, the E9-1-1 Institute, and APCO hosted a "9-1-1 Block Party" in conjunction with the District of Columbia’s Office of Unified Communications Center to promote the beginning of National 9-1-1 Education Month. The event took place at Martin Luther King Junior Elementary School in our nation's capital, where close to 400 children were educated about the 9-1-1 system and emergency communications.

The students, ranging from kindergarten to 5th grade, heard brief remarks from public safety officials and advocates on proper usage of 9-1-1 before heading outside to see some key elements of the emergency response system first-hand on tours led by personnel from the DC PSAP. The interactive atmosphere featured a fire department ladder truck, a “9-1-1 Simulator Hazard House,” an EMS vehicle, a mobile command post, police horses and dogs, and a police motorcycle.

Before heading back to their classes, the youngsters had the opportunity to shake paws with McGruff the Crime Dog and stop by the NENA / APCO sponsored table to pick up 9-1-1 themed giveaways and materials, including an informative 9-1-1 tip-sheet for kids and parents.

The event was part of a month-long drive every April to encourage educators, parents, public officials, and telecommunications industry leaders to join the national effort to educate all Americans on the importance and proper use of the 9-1-1 system.

More information, resources, and other events can be found on our 9-1-1 Education Month webpage.

(Top picture: [from left to right] Courtney McCarron Hastings from APCO and Chris Nussman and Briannah Robinson from NENA amongst a sea of MLK Elementary School students during the 9-1-1 Block Party)

(Bottom picture: McGruff shows off a police motorcycle to a group of students)