Unified 911 System Goes Live in Lauderdale County

Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency Director Brad Holmes said the change marks the first time all first-response dispatchers in the county have worked in the same room using the same system and terminology.

Previously, dispatchers operated from separate locations, including the former EMA center in the basement of Florence City Hall and the Florence Police Department. The new arrangement uses a unified computer-aided dispatch system and common signal-code and 10-code terminology.

Officials say the system could reduce emergency response times by two to three minutes in some cases. One significant change eliminates the need to place callers on hold while transferring them to the police department.

The unified operation is housed in the new EMA and 911 center at 102 Dr. Hicks Boulevard in Florence. The former Wells Fargo bank was renovated as part of a $2.1 million project funded by the city and county.

The center includes 15 dispatch stations, with dispatchers able to view information received by other operators and the locations of fire, police and ambulance units throughout the county. The system also provides information about fire hydrant locations and available water pressure.

The facility also includes training rooms, administrative offices, a gym, quiet room and showers. The former bank vault has been converted into a safe room for employees during severe weather or other emergencies.

Lauderdale and Colbert County EMA centers also have the ability to take over operations for one another if an emergency prevents either center from operating.