Operations

The Durham Emergency Communications Center (DECC) provides 24 hour-a-day, 7 days-a-week 911 access and services to the citizens and user agencies in and around Durham County. Services provided include, but are not limited to:
  • Dispatch of police, fire, emergency medical services, other city/county support agencies
  • Emergency and non-emergency request for services
  • Other duties as required

911 Call Taking


The DECC is the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for all of Durham County. Each 911 call comes directly to the center and is handled according to its location and nature. During the call the 911 communications officer 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
  • Certain information for medical calls (nature, life status, etc.)
  • Descriptions of suspects / victims
  • Potential hazards
  • The presence of any weapons (if applicable)
When each 911 call is received, the phone number and location of the caller is displayed at the console and verified by the 911 communications officer. 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

Fire Services


  • Bahama Volunteer Fire Department
  • Durham City Fire Department
  • Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department
  • Moriah 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 & 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 911 system, a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and a trunked 800MHz radio system that serves countywide. The DECC has one of the few Next Generation 911 (NG911) systems in the country as well as automated computer voice dispatching of Fire and EMS units.