The 9-1-1 for Kids® Local 9-1-1 Heroes® program was established in 1999.  The purpose of the award is to recognize heroic youngsters who called 9-1-1 to save a life or property or to report a crime.  The heroes are nominated by public safety answering points (PSAP or 911 dispatch centers).  These children methodically and calmly called 9-1-1 and provided the dispatcher with the necessary information to route emergency personnel (police, fire department or medical emergency response) quickly.

Since 1999, the organization has recognized hundreds of children throughout the nation for their 9-1-1 heroism.  It is our hope that every state in the U.S. and every province in Canada will declare the month of May (before children begin summer vacation) and also September (as children return back to school) as "911 for Kids Education Month."   The purpose of this program is not only to recognize heroic acts of youngsters and dispatchers, but more importantly to drive home important information concerning critical emergency preparedness and response procedures.  

The 9-1-1 Heroes Ceremonies are consistently a favorite story for the media to cover both locally and across the nation.  The media always provides a wonderful opportunity to inform the community, and prepare children to be "emergency ready."  The 9-1-1 Heroes Awards Ceremony features: 

Each day hundreds of thousands of calls are placed to 911 dispatch centers across the country.   Many of these calls are made by young children.  Whether it is a medical emergency, a fire or a crime to report it is essential to teach children when it’s OK to call 911; how to dial and what to say to the dispatchers.  Lastly, in light of the natural and man-made disasters today, it is absolutely critical to teach children when NOT to call 911 and inadvertently tie up lines out of fear.