Behind the Call

Contributor: Mike Fernandez

To Our Incredible 911 Telecommunicators,

I want to take a moment to thank each of you for the countless hours you dedicate to serving our community every single day. I know this career asks a lot from you. Even on hard days, you continue showing up and doing the work because people are counting on you.

I also want to give special kudos to our newer employees who are currently in training and those who have recently been released as 911 call-takers. You all are doing a fantastic job, and it has been impressive watching your confidence, skills, and composure grow each day. Learning this profession is no easy task, and your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. We are proud to have you as part of this team.

As a small token of appreciation for everything you do, we recently purchased a massage chair for the dispatch center. I hope each of you takes time to enjoy it and use it as an opportunity to recharge, even if for a few minutes during a busy shift. You deserve moments of relief and relaxation.

Thank you again for your dedication, sacrifice, teamwork, and commitment to excellence. The work you do matters more than words can fully express, and this center is stronger because of each of you.

Stay safe, take care of one another, and know that you are appreciated.

~Mike

Contributor: Ruth Shear

Is Your Address Clearly Marked for 911 Response?

In times of emergency, every second counts. Ensuring that your address is clearly marked and visible can make a critical difference. Here's why it's essential and how you can improve your home’s visibility for emergency responders.

When emergency services are dispatched, they rely heavily on visible address markers to locate the scene swiftly.

Delays can occur if:

• The house number is obscured by foliage or decorations.

• The numbers are too small or not reflective, making them hard to see from the road.

• The address is not illuminated at night.

Prompt and precise location identification can enhance response times, potentially saving lives and minimizing property damage.

By taking the time to ensure your address is clearly marked for 911 response, you can help emergency personnel reach you faster in a critical situation. Your safety, and the safety of others, could depend on this simple yet vital task.

This month PSC 911 Education attended Bethel Volunteer Fire Department's fire prevention event. It was a great time for families to learn about fire safety, as well as 911. We brought our 911 simulator, and kids got to hear what a 911 dispatcher would ask them during a call, which helps them to stay calm, and less fearful should they need to call 911 in an emergency. BVFD will be hosting another event in October, and you will have an opportunity to see us there again!

Contributor: Amber Walker

Greetings PSC Family,

Please join me in congratulating Charles “Spencer” Langston on completing the call taking phase of his training. He began his career at Public Safety Communications as a new telecommunicator on December 22, 2025. Spencer is currently an independent call taker that answers both emergency and non-emergency calls for service. Congratulations Spencer, thank you for your hard work and dedication, welcome aboard!

Monthly training this month for our telecommunicators focused on Teletypewriters /Telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY/TDD). These devices assist the hearing or speech impaired with communicating over telephone lines by typing their message rather than speaking. Our telecommunicators demonstrated that they are knowledgeable and capable of communicating with callers that use these services. Keep up the great work PSC!

Did you know that advanced technology plays a crucial role in every 911 call? Our call center is equipped with cutting-edge tools that ensure help is on the way as quickly as possible. Enhanced 911 (E911) systems automatically provide us with your location, so we can reach you faster. Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems keep our dispatchers connected with real-time data, making communication with emergency responders seamless. For those who can't make voice calls, Text-to-911 services are available, ensuring everyone can reach us in a crisis. Our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) help visualize incident locations, allowing us to allocate resources effectively. These are just a few technologies along with our hero IT department members, working together to help us save lives and keep our community safe.

Contributor: Carina Cordova

These are the day-to-day pieces of technology that keep the 911 call center up and running!

1) PRIMARY WORKSTATIONS: include Zuercher Suite CAD, Marvlis Deployment Monitor, Motorola MCC7500 Radio console.

2) HARDWARE: ranging from multiple computer peripherals to large servers, recording devices, and displays. Dispatchers primarily use a wireless headset (with optional Mute button). Trainers are provided laptops, iPads, portable radios).

3) DESKTOP APPLICATIONS:

USDD – Automated dispatch that sends out tones to our EMS and Fire Units. This product also has the capability to send alerts to fire stations, lock doors, turn off equipment, and more!

CENTRAL SQUARE -Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to enter 911 calls for service, records management, county map data capabilities.

VESTA 911 phone system that allows accurate location data and ability to receive text to 911.

MARVLIS (EMS truck recommendation for the closest available unit) GENESIS Radio system and radio unit monitoring.

RAPIDSOS software that provides wireless phone and location data whenever calls are made into 911.

4) RADIO COMPONENTS: MCC7500 Motorola Radio console that allows the dispatcher to transmit/receive radio traffic on multiple talk groups, send pager notifications, and unlock doors / knox boxes on fire trucks all centralized on one console. This is the best means of communication with agencies across the state and our neighboring counties.

5) PHONES: at the core, 911 is dependent on calls that come in through landlines and cell phones. We have a variety of desktop phone applications, cell phones, and base handsets (voip based)

Contributor: Cheryl Norman

Professional Standards May 2026

CALEA

York County Public Safety Communications is currently in the process of completing the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Year 2 evaluation. The Web-based assessment will take place July 24th to July 31st. Thank you to everyone involved in gathering and completing the items needed to finalize the assessment.

FOIA

Freedom of Information Act is available to all responders and the general public.

Responders should email PSC@yorkcountysc.gov and include the Call for Service or Report number as well as the date, time and exact information needed. (such as radio traffic, phone calls)

Any FOIA request from the public including Lawyer’s offices will need to utilize the link below.

Event Channels

Event channels for responders can be requested at the Event Channel link below. Filling out this form will ensure that your request is received and completed in a timely manner.