Dialing 211

[ralph]

Something just came on my radar here in the US.  211.   Apparently it's a special number to dial for medical information an resources.  Not emergency services but just a number to dial when you are looking for community services.

I just became aware of it.  Has anyone been setting up their systems for this?

Here's a link to the FCC site for details.

Ralph

[acejavelin]

Been around a while actually... for the most part I have been programming in N11 in many ARS tables for years, 311, 511, 611, 711, and 811 are also in use in many parts of the country.

Usage is generally assigned as follows:
2-1-1: community services, medical advice, United Way
3-1-1: municipal government services, non-emergency
4-1-1: directory assistance
5-1-1: traffic information or police non-emergency services
6-1-1: telephone company (telco) customer service and repair
7-1-1: TDD relay for the deaf
8-1-1: underground public utility location,[1] in Canada 8-1-1 is assigned for non-emergency health information and services
9-1-1: emergency services

[ralph]

Wow.  Knew about 911 and 411.   All the others are new to me.

We must really be backwoods.

Ralph

[acejavelin]

Yeah, these are all NPA/geographical area specific codes, in different areas they are used to varying degrees... in the tundra of ND we have been using them for well over 10 years. 

Oh, and BTW Ralph, your profile pic is broken, displaying as a broken link...