An assembly Wednesday morning in the HHS gym recognized the history made 40 years ago on February 16 when the first 9-1-1 phone call and  system began service in Haleyville. Attending was James Whitt, mayor  in 1968 when the call was made between then U.S.

Representative Tom  Bevill of Jasper and Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives  Rankin Fite of Hamilton. The original 9-1-1 phone was borrowed from  Haleyville city hall and displayed during the program. Eli Palmer gave  the details of the historic event followed by U.S. Congressman Robert  Aderholt who addressed the students by phone over the gym sound  system. Congressman Aderholt stated how important the event was and  added that he did not actually remember the event, because he was only  two.