Company Profile
Montgomery County Emergency Communication District
Company Overview
9-1-1 is the most recognized and remembered phone number in the country. When those digits are dialed, special procedures within phone company systems kick in to send the call and caller location to appropriate 9-1-1 call center. A complex network of public safety agencies are in place to respond to each 9-1-1 call based on location and type of emergency. The staff of Montgomery County 9-1-1 is proud to partner with the police, fire and emergency medical agencies on the front lines. We are just a part of the process, but we are dedicated to develop and maintain systems to connect callers as effectively and efficiently as possible.
At Montgomery County 9-1-1, we work to ensure all citizens of Montgomery County can easily and quickly obtain the emergency services needed to protect life, health or property. Our mission is to provide systems which allow anyone, at any time, from any place within Montgomery County, using any kind of telephone to connect with emergency service providers by dialing 9-1-1. Our staff members are public stewards of the trust and the assets of the citizens. Therefore, we place high regard on the following values:
- Conducting affairs and maintaining records as transparently as possible without violating statutory limits on privacy of proprietary and confidential information
- Treating all citizens equally and respectfully
- Cooperating and collaborating with the public safety answering points, emergency service providers, emergency management personnel and neighboring jurisdictions to improve communications with citizens
- Continually improving the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of the district’s work efforts.
- Leading within the 9-1-1 community by implementing new (but proven) technology and by developing and following the best practices of the industry
- Maintaining and protecting district property at the highest possible standards
- Safeguarding public funds through good internal controls, current policies, long-range financial planning and responsible budgeting.
Company History
On January 19, 1988, Montgomery County Emergency Communication District answered its first call for assistance into its basic 9-1-1 system. In 1984, The Texas Legislature passed the Emergency Telephone Number Act. The Act authorized Montgomery County to establish 9-1-1 as the primary emergency phone number. Callers would no longer need to distinguish which number to dial for fire, police or hospital because 9-1-1 would respond in spite of the type of emergency. Eighty-one percent of Montgomery County voters approved the proposal to make the system viable in November, 1985.
Many citizens and were unsure how the system would benefit them when accessing emergency services and complained when an additional fee, first 27 cents and later 62 cents was added to their monthly phone bill for an enhanced system that was not installed. Later, the enhanced system added features such as automatic number identification (ANI) and automatic location identification (ALI). ANI and ALI allowed the district to display the phone number and location (including a map and directions) of the caller and the dispatch agency servicing that address. Montgomery County was the third county in the state of Texas to have the fully enhanced 9-1-1 system.
Montgomery County Emergency Communication District has added additional services to the public since 1988, including the launch of Code Red in 2008. Code Red is an Emergency Notification System which provides mass notification to residents in the event of an emergency. Residents of Montgomery County must register for the service through Montgomery County Emergency Communication District’s website. (www.mc911.org)
Today, technology is always evolving and Montgomery County 9-1-1 is working to meet changing technology as it relates to its residents and the Next Generation Enhanced 9-1-1 SMS/MMS text solution. In December 2012, the nation’s four largest wireless carriers agreed with the Federal Communication Commission to relay text messages to text-enabled call centers by May 2014. Public education and awareness campaigns regarding texting to 9-1-1 will be forth coming. However, until Montgomery County 9-1-1 supports texting capability, residents are encouraged to call 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.
Benefits
Work schedule is 9/80