Operations
The Durham Emergency Communications Center (DECC) provides 24 hour-a-day, seven days-a-week 9-1-1 access and services to the citizens and user agencies in and around Durham County. Services provided include, but are not limited to, emergency and non-emergency request for services, dispatch of police, fire, emergency medical services, other city/county support agencies, and other duties as required.
Around the clock service is assured by staffing four squads working rotating twelve hour shifts.
9-1-1 Call Taking
The DECC is the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for all of Durham County. Each 9-1-1 call comes directly to the Center and is handled according to its location and nature. During the call the Telecommunicator ascertains, at a minimum, the location and nature of the emergency. Other information obtained includes, but is not limited to:
- The caller's name, address and call-back number
- The presence of any weapons (if applicable)
- Descriptions of suspects / victims
- Certain information for medical calls (nature, life status, etc.)
- Potential hazards
When each 9-1-1 call is received, the phone number and location of the caller is displayed at the console and verified by the Telecommunicator. This information is kept in strictest confidence and released only to emergency services personnel.
Dispatch Services
Dispatch services and support services are provided to the following user agencies in and around Durham County.
Law Enforcement:
- Durham City Police Department
Emergency Medical Services:
- Durham County EMS
- Parkwood Emergency Medical Services
Fire Services:
- Bahama Volunteer Fire Department
- Bethesda Volunteer Fire Department
- Durham City Fire Department
- Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department
- Moriah Volunteer Fire Department
- Parkwood Volunteer Fire Department
- Redwood Volunteer Fire Department
Other Emergency Services Agencies:
- Durham County Emergency Management
- Durham County Fire Marshal's Office
- North Carolina Forestry Service
- North Carolina Motorist Assistance Patrol
In addition, the DECC maintains emergency callback lists for various city, county, state and private utility services, as well as, other support agencies as needed.
Technologies and Operations Equipment
The Durham Emergency Communications Center is equipped with some of the most modern and technologically advanced equipment systems on the market. The DECC features a fully enhanced 9-1-1 system, a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and a trunked 800MHz radio system that serves countywide. Coming soon to some of the emergency response agencies will be Mobile Computer Terminals integrated via a wireless network system to the DECC CAD system.