E-911

Emanuel County E-911 is our community's lifeline in emergencies.  At the core of this essential service is a team of 14 highly trained dispatchers who respond to each call with professionalism, resilience, and a calm focus—no matter the situation. These dispatchers play a vital role in keeping Emanuel County safe, often acting as the very first first responders in any emergency.

About Our Dispatchers

Dispatchers are much more than just call-takers; they’re skilled multitaskers who must remain steady under pressure. At any moment, they might be coordinating responders for a multi-car accident, guiding a resident through a medical crisis, or taking background cues from a call to assess hidden dangers. New dispatchers undergo extensive on-the-job training to prepare for the unique challenges of the role, and while a high school diploma is the only formal requirement, the job demands commitment, empathy, and sharp instincts to keep both residents and responders safe.

Our dispatchers handle an average of 18,000 calls per year, coordinating responses for 10 law enforcement agencies, 13 fire stations, 1 EMS service, and 1 coroner’s office—on the local level alone. This excludes any mutual aid requests or assistance from state and federal law enforcement agencies, highlighting the high volume and complexity of calls that dispatchers expertly manage each day.

Inside the E-911 Headquarters

The new Emergency Operations Center is home to the E-911 team, who rotate around-the-clock shifts to provide service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Using a state-of-the-art computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, dispatchers have instant access to information on previous calls, potential hazards, and responder locations, allowing them to coordinate calls with efficiency and accuracy. As the central hub for countywide emergency response, the E-911 center is designed to support dispatchers with the tools they need to respond effectively to any situation.

Core Responsibilities of E-911

The E-911 team has three main responsibilities. They are as follows:

Emergency Communications Processing

Each request to 911 initiates an immediate response with dispatchers using GIS mapping and enhanced 911 capabilities to pinpoint user locations, relay critical details, and coordinate with police, fire, and medical teams. They’re the crucial first step in ensuring that responders reach the right place as quickly as possible.

Emanuel County is proud to be the 25th county in Georgia to implement text-to-911 capability—an impressive milestone given the state’s 159 counties. Many of the first counties to adopt this feature were Georgia’s largest, such as Fulton (City of Atlanta) and Gwinnett counties. Our early adoption underscores Emanuel County’s commitment to emergency accessibility, providing residents and visitors alike with flexible, modern options for reaching 911.

Communicating with 911: Three Options

Voice calls remain the most direct form of communication, allowing dispatchers to ask questions and gather details in real-time. However, for situations where speaking is unsafe or impossible, residents can also text 911. This option is especially valuable for individuals with hearing impairments or emergencies requiring silence.

Adding to the accessibility, individuals can now transmit live video and images directly to dispatchers, allowing for greater situational awareness. Users also have the option to engage in video chats with dispatchers, which enables real-time visual communication and enhances dispatcher insight into the scene. This capability offers another layer of support and ensures responders arrive as prepared as possible.

For a complete look at using these features and ensuring the best response, check out our 911 Communications Guide. The guide covers the ins and outs of calling, texting, and chatting with 911, including essential dos and don’ts, tips for efficient communication, and insights on what dispatchers need to provide the fastest, most effective help possible.

CodeRED Emergency Alerts

E-911 also manages Emanuel County’s CodeRED alert system, which provides residents with phone, text, or email updates during severe weather events, natural disasters, and other emergencies. Residents are encouraged to sign up for CodeRED to stay informed and prepared.

911 Addressing

Accurate 911 addresses are vital for effective response. E-911 works in partnership with GIS1 to assign and maintain 911 addresses, ensuring that every property is accessible in an emergency. You can apply for a 911 address by submitting a request through our online form to ensure your location is properly registered and accessible to emergency services.