Haleyville, Alabama: A City Across Two Counties with Historical Roots

Situated uniquely across both Winston and Marion counties in the U.S. state of Alabama, Haleyville is a vibrant community with a rich history. This distinctive geographical positioning means that while the majority of the city's area falls within Winston County, a smaller, yet integral, portion of its western limits extends into neighboring Marion County. The city officially gained its incorporation status on February 28, 1889, marking a significant milestone in its development and establishing its formal municipal governance.

Originally known as Davis Cross Roads, Haleyville's origins are deeply rooted in its strategic location. It was established at the vital intersection of Byler Road and the Illinois Central Railroad. Byler Road, a historic route, was one of Alabama's earliest state roads, facilitating overland travel and commerce across the region. The arrival and subsequent operation of the Illinois Central Railroad further cemented the settlement's importance as a burgeoning transportation and trade hub, connecting it to wider markets and fostering significant growth. This confluence of crucial transportation arteries played a pivotal role in the early prosperity and enduring establishment of the community that would eventually become Haleyville.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Haleyville recorded a population of 4,173 residents. This figure represented a slight decrease from the 2000 census, which reported 4,182 inhabitants, reflecting minor demographic shifts within the city over that decade.

Frequently Asked Questions About Haleyville

Where is Haleyville located?

Haleyville is uniquely situated in the U.S. state of Alabama, spanning parts of both Winston and Marion counties. The majority of the city lies within Winston County, with a smaller section extending into Marion County.

When was Haleyville incorporated?

Haleyville was officially incorporated as a city on February 28, 1889, formalizing its status as a municipality.

What was Haleyville's original name and why was it chosen?

The city was originally named Davis Cross Roads. This name reflected its establishment at the crucial intersection of Byler Road, one of Alabama's early state roads, and the Illinois Central Railroad, a key railway line that contributed significantly to the area's development as a transportation and commercial hub.

What is Haleyville's population?

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Haleyville was 4,173. This was a slight decrease from its population of 4,182 recorded in the 2000 census.

Understanding 9-1-1: The Critical Emergency Lifeline System

The emergency telephone number 9-1-1, commonly written as 911, stands as a critical lifeline for public safety across numerous nations and territories. Primarily associated with the United States and Canada, its reach extends to countries such as Palau, Argentina, the Philippines, and Jordan, among others within the expansive North American Numbering Plan (NANP) area. This dedicated emergency service number is one of the eight distinctive N11 codes, a series of three-digit telephone numbers used for special services (e.g., 2-1-1 for community and social services, 8-1-1 for utility line locating). However, unlike other N11 codes, 9-1-1 is exclusively designated for urgent, life-threatening, or time-sensitive emergency situations requiring immediate police, fire, or medical assistance.

The integrity and effectiveness of the 9-1-1 system are paramount, which is why its misuse carries severe consequences. Utilizing this emergency line for non-emergency purposes, such as making false reports, prank calls, or seeking general information, is not only irresponsible but also constitutes a serious criminal offense in the vast majority of jurisdictions. Such actions can critically divert essential resources and personnel away from genuine emergencies, potentially delaying critical help and endangering lives.

Across an extensive network of countries and regions—including over 98% of locations in Argentina, Belize, Anguilla, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Jordan, Ethiopia, Liberia, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Uruguay, the United States, Palau, Mexico, Tonga, and Canada—dialing "9-1-1" from any telephone connects the caller directly to an emergency dispatch office. This vital facility is professionally known within the telecommunications industry as a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). At a PSAP, highly trained dispatchers are on standby 24/7 to quickly assess the nature of the emergency, gather critical information, and coordinate the swift deployment of appropriate emergency responders, such as police officers, firefighters, or emergency medical services (EMS), to the caller's precise location.

A significant advancement in emergency services technology is the enhanced 9-1-1 (E911) system. In approximately 96 percent of the United States, E911 automatically pairs the caller's telephone number with their physical address. This crucial feature, often referred to as Automatic Location Identification (ALI) and Automatic Number Identification (ANI), dramatically reduces response times by providing dispatchers with immediate location data, even if the caller is unable to verbally communicate it themselves. This is especially vital in emergencies involving children, individuals with disabilities, those experiencing medical distress, or situations where the caller is in danger and cannot speak.

9-1-1's Global Footprint and Expansion

The implementation of the 9-1-1 emergency hotline has seen significant progress beyond its traditional North American origins, demonstrating its efficacy as a robust and widely adopted global standard for emergency response.

• Philippines: The 9-1-1 emergency hotline was officially launched to the public on August 1, 2016, with its initial rollout commencing in Davao City. This landmark initiative made the Philippines the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to adopt a nationwide 9-1-1 system, marking a significant upgrade in public safety infrastructure. Its implementation systematically replaced the previous emergency number 117 that was in use outside Davao City, streamlining emergency access for millions of Filipinos.
• Mexico: As of 2017, a comprehensive 9-1-1 system is actively in use throughout Mexico. The nationwide implementation involves a phased approach, with ongoing efforts to integrate the system seamlessly across various states and municipalities, further enhancing public safety capabilities and ensuring a standardized emergency response mechanism across the country.

Frequently Asked Questions About 9-1-1 Emergency Services

What is 9-1-1 used for?

9-1-1 is an emergency telephone number specifically designated for urgent situations requiring immediate assistance from police, fire, or emergency medical services. It should only be used in true emergencies where there is a direct threat to life, property, or a crime in progress, ensuring critical resources are available for genuine incidents.

Is 9-1-1 available worldwide?

While 9-1-1 is the primary emergency number in the United States, Canada, and many other specified countries like the Philippines and Mexico, it is not universally adopted globally. Other countries may use different emergency numbers (e.g., 112 in Europe, 999 in the UK). However, in over 98% of locations in a wide range of countries including Argentina, Belize, Costa Rica, Jordan, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, and Tonga, dialing 9-1-1 successfully connects callers to emergency services.

What is a PSAP?

PSAP stands for Public Safety Answering Point. It is the central dispatch office where emergency calls, including those to 9-1-1, are received by trained dispatchers. These dispatchers assess the situation, gather vital information, and then coordinate the appropriate emergency response by dispatching police, fire, or medical personnel to the caller's location.

What is "Enhanced 9-1-1" (E911)?

Enhanced 9-1-1 (E911) is an advanced system that automatically provides dispatchers with the caller's phone number (Automatic Number Identification - ANI) and, crucially, their physical location (Automatic Location Identification - ALI). This technology is implemented in approximately 96% of the United States and significantly improves emergency response by allowing help to be sent even if the caller cannot verbally provide their address or is unable to speak.

When did the Philippines adopt 9-1-1?

The Philippines launched its 9-1-1 emergency hotline to the public on August 1, 2016, starting in Davao City. This initiative made it the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to implement a nationwide 9-1-1 system, replacing the previous 117 emergency number for a streamlined approach.

Is it a crime to misuse 9-1-1?

Yes, using 9-1-1 for non-emergency purposes, such as making false reports, prank calls, or seeking general information, is considered a criminal offense in most jurisdictions. Misuse can divert critical resources from genuine emergencies, potentially endangering lives, and carries serious legal repercussions.