The  FCC met with  AT&T in November 1967 in order to choose the number.

In 1968, the number was agreed upon. AT&T chose the number 911, which was simple, easy to remember, dialed quickly (999, with the phones in place at the time, would take longer).

Because of the middle 1, which indicated a special number (see also  411 and 611), 911 worked well with the phone systems at the time. At the time, this announcement only affected the telephone companies; independent phone companies were not included in the emergency telephone plan. Alabama Telephone Company decided to implement it ahead of AT&T, choosing Haleyville, Alabama as the location.