| The History of 911Lifeline
911Lifeline was founded in April of 2006. It began as
a forum on Yahoo!
Groups for the exchange of information between 9-1-1 telecommunicators.
Within
the first few months it had undergone an explosive
growth. Many features were added including an on-line library. The group
enjoyed early recognition for its professional quality, and even received
endorsements from several 9-1-1 training companies for being a valuable asset. But it was soon clear
that something more was needed to serve the group's membership.
Existing organizations such as APCO and NENA are strong national leaders of the 9-1-1 system. However,
they primarily focus on areas such as standards, technical operations,
certification, and 9-1-1 related legislation. What was missing was
attention to the pragmatic needs of the in-the-trenches 9-1-1 professional. 911Lifeline
saw this as an opportunity to leverage its resources, including the collective knowledge of its members,
to transform itself from a a simple forum into a national membership organization.
Today,
911Lifeline fulfills its mission by offering a wide
array of services to its members, the media, and the public. 911Lifeline
is
proactive in fostering a better understanding and appreciation of the typically
anonymous, and often overlooked, men and women who make 9-1-1 work.
In
April, 2009, 911Lifeline began a new chapter in its evolution when it became
a Michigan not-for-profit public corporation. The corporate bylaws
preserve 911Lifeline's core values, and remain true to its
founding
purpose—support of the dedicated professionals of the nation's lifeline. In
early 2010, the IRS approved 911Lifeline as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.
|