WHEREAS, Every year, about 240 million 9-1-1 calls are received at 9-1-1 emergency system centers across the United States; and

WHEREAS, Most calls to 9-1-1 emergency system centers are made by bystanders attempting to help someone in a crisis, often life-threatening, many of those calls are made by children as young as 4 or 5 years old; and

WHEREAS, The result of 9-1-1 calls from children may be measured in saved lives, underscoring the critical importance of training children early in life about the 9-1-1 emergency call number; and

WHEREAS, By educating children how to use 9-1-1 correctly, we can empower them to act quickly and confidently to obtain the necessary public safety or medical assistance they need to save lives and property, as well as teach their siblings, family members, friends, and neighbors; and

WHEREAS, The nonprofit organization “9-1-1 for Kids” is the official educational program for local, federal, and international public safety dispatch centers, agencies, and organizations and is committed to the sole purpose of teaching children how to save lives and property through the proper use of 9-1-1, the nation’s universal emergency telephone number; and

WHEREAS, 9-1-1 for Kids has reached over five million children since its inception in 1994, helping to save thousands of lives and properties through its award-winning, student-tested, and teacher-approved 9-1-1 caller training classroom kit and educational support that teaches everyone when it is okay to call 9-1-1, how to dial 9-1-1, and what to say to the 9-1-1 dispatcher; and

WHEREAS, 9-1-1 for Kids has worked proactively to decrease the incidence of accidental and prank 9-1-1 calls, saving our government millions of dollars and helping to maintain the integrity of our 9-1-1 emergency network; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, 9-1-1 for Kids has branched out to provide comprehensive teen and adult 9-1-1 caller training and disaster preparedness and response education, recognizing America’s most compelling 9-1-1 youth heroes each year at 9-1-1 for Kids “Local 9-1-1 Heroes” ceremonies with regional and federal government officials; and

WHEREAS, The goal of the California 9-1-1 for Kids Safety Education Month is to provide all elementary-aged pupils in California with emergency and disaster response education in their classrooms and at the local public libraries during this month, and to establish biannual safety educational events in every Head Start program and public elementary classrooms in transitional kindergarten to grade 5, inclusive; and

WHEREAS, Through statewide and local public awareness campaigns, 9-1-1 for Kids, in collaboration with the California National Emergency Number Association (CalNENA), the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO West), 9-1-1 emergency system centers, law enforcement agencies, and fire departments, will train teachers, librarians, parents, school administrators, and other caregivers to conduct at least one activity aimed at educating elementary school children during California 9-1-1 for Kids Safety Education Month; and

WHEREAS, 9-1-1 for Kids is endorsed and supported by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO International), the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), and the National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA); and

WHEREAS, 9-1-1 for Kids and the California 9-1-1 for Kids Safety Education Month are lead by their distinguished officers, International Ambassador Kathy Ireland; National Chairman Tim Brown, retired Oakland Raiders, National Football Hall of Fame inductee, and the 1987 Heisman Trophy winner; Chairman Emeritus Howie Long, Fox National Football League Show and National Football League Hall of Fame inductee; Executive Director Elise Kim; and International Spokespersons Jessica Simpson, recording artist and actress; and Patrick Long, race car driver; now, therefore, be it