Overview of Establishment

Charleston County Consolidated 9-1-1 Center

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Charleston County 9-1-1 Consolidation is underway!

Highlights:

• January 2008:  Intergovernmental Agreement was finalized for nine out of ten public safety dispatch operations in Charleston County to consolidate. The agreement forms the Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch Board.

• February 2008:  North Charleston’s 9-1-1 Center co-located with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and EMS dispatch operations.

• October 2008:  Following an extensive search, Jim Lake was hired as the Director of the Consolidated 9-1-1 Center.

• January 2009:  Administrative joining of the Sheriff’s Office and EMS 9-1-1 dispatch operations took place, officially forming the County’s Consolidated 9-1-1 Center.

• January 2010:  The merging of call takers for the Sheriff’s Office and EMS/Fire dispatch began on January 4, 2010, and is a significant step in the consolidation process. City of Charleston, through signing of contract Addendum on January 5, 2010, finalized their participation in the Intergovernmental Agreement for Consolidated Dispatch.

• Consolidation Steps in 2010:  A transitional plan for moving some other public safety agencies (primarily fire departments) into the existing Consolidated 9-1-1 Center was approved by the Consolidated Dispatch Board and Charleston County.  During early to mid-2010, the St. Andrews Fire Department, Folly Beach Public Safety, City of Charleston Fire Department and St. John’s Fire Department all joined into the Consolidated 9-1-1 Center.
  Note: Folly Beach pulled out of early consolidation on October 31, 2011 and remains a partner in the Intergovernmental Agreement for Consolidated Dispatch.

   

• Consolidation Steps in 2011: Staff is working with consultants on a Transition Plan to move the current Consolidated Dispatch Operations into the new facility, followed by moving/consolidating emergency 9-1-1 call taking and dispatch operations for the remaining jurisdictions into this facility.

Why are we Consolidating 9-1-1 in Charleston County?

Benefits of 9-1-1 Consolidation:

• Faster emergency response times

• Enhanced interoperability and coordination among responding agencies

• Increased safety for emergency responders

• Fewer errors due to standardized call handling and dispatch protocols

• Better training and certification opportunities for dispatchers

• Improved and consistent communications equipment and technology

• Expected to attain national accreditation to ensure recognized best practices are followed  

How did we begin Consolidation of 9-1-1 in Charleston County?

Brief History:  In 2006, community emergency response and elected officials initiated the concept of consolidating public safety dispatch services. The Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch Committee, a multi-jurisdictional group consisting primarily of public safety chiefs appointed by elected officials and the County Administrator, was formed in late 2006, guiding the process of the Charleston County Communications Feasibility Study. The feasibility study was completed in April of 2007 and indicated that consolidating all ten 9-1-1 and dispatch centers in the County was feasible, desirable, and would improve emergency response in Charleston County. The Committee then developed an intergovernmental agreement that was signed by all but one jurisdiction by the goal date of December 31, 2007. County Council approved and finalized the intergovernmental agreement at their meeting on January 22, 2008.

How was a Multi-jurisdictional Intergovernmental Agreement Achieved?

Agreement Development and Consensus:

• The agreement was completed by the multi-jurisdictional Consolidated Dispatch Committee, a multi-jurisdictional group of law enforcement, fire and EMS leaders within Charleston County and chaired by North Charleston Police Chief, Jon Zumalt.

• Assistance of the Charleston County Legal Department staff was significant.

• Funding decisions made by Charleston County Council were key to the agreement.

• Willingness of involved public safety chiefs to attend various jurisdictional meetings was critical to the acceptance of the agreement.

Who are the Participants in the Intergovernmental Agreement?

The following jurisdictions signed the agreement since they have a dispatch operation (or had a dispatch operation at the time of the Agreement):

• Charleston County (EMS & Charleston County Sheriff’s Office)

• City of North Charleston

• Town of Mount Pleasant

• City of Isle of Palms

• City of Folly Beach

• St. Johns Fire District

• James Island Public Service District (PSD) Fire District

• St. Andrews PSD Fire District

• City of Charleston*

*Note:  The City of Charleston was not an original participant in the agreement. However, participating jurisdictions approved the City of Charleston’s request to join the Consolidated 9-1-1 Center during the Fall of 2009, and on December 15, 2009, Charleston City Council voted in favor of the addendum to the Intergovernmental Agreement adding the City of Charleston as a full participant in consolidated dispatch efforts.  City of Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen and City of Charleston Fire Chief Thomas Carr are full voting members of the Consolidated Dispatch Board.

What are the Highlights of the Intergovernmental Agreement?

The Intergovernmental Agreement, effective January 22, 2008, sets forth the following:  

• Governing Structure:

  • The Consolidated 9-1-1 Center functions as a Charleston County department.

  • The Consolidated Dispatch Board has oversight of operational protocols and procedures.

  • The Consolidated Dispatch Board has significant input into the 9-1-1 Center’s budget and the selection, oversight and evaluation of the 9-1-1 Center director.

• Financial Responsibilities:

  • Charleston County will pay for start-up costs for the Consolidated Dispatch Center, and construction of a new facility is planned.

  • Jurisdictions that have signed the agreement will share responsibility for operational costs over the first two years of full Consolidated Dispatch Center operations.

  • During the third year of full Consolidated Dispatch Center operations and beyond, Charleston County will pay the full operational cost, estimated at $10.5 million per year.

• Consolidated Dispatch Board Representation (based on the Intergovernmental Agreement along with the recent addendum):

Charleston County:                  2 (Sheriff and EMS Director)

North Charleston:                     2 (Police Chief and Fire Chief)

Mount Pleasant:                        2 (Police Chief and Fire Chief)

City of Charleston                     2 (Police Chief and Fire Chief)

Isle of Palms (Rotating):         1 (Police Chief)

Fire Chiefs Association:          2 Representatives

                Non-Voting Member:               Charleston County Administrator Designee

Non-Voting Member:               Federal Agency Representative

• Staffing

  • It is the intent “that the hiring of dispatch staff at participating agencies will take place,” and it is therefore anticipated that all dispatchers from these centers will be transitioned to the new Consolidated 9-1-1 Center.

  • A readiness program has been initiated to assist current dispatchers to meet qualifications standards for the Consolidated 9-1-1 Center.

  • Staffing structure, salaries, schedules and other matters are evolving through the work of the Consolidated Dispatch Board’s Human Resources Committee, utilizing input from all participating jurisdictions.

What Activities are Currently Taking Place Toward 9-1-1 Consolidation?

Through the work of the Consolidated Dispatch Board, the Director, and staff members from multiple jurisdictions and departments, progress is ongoing.

• Board Committees (and their working groups) are busy doing many tasks:

  • Operations Committee develops internal operational policies, protocols, procedures

  • Technology Committee develops recommendations for technology needs

  • Human Resources Committee develops training and transition policies

  • Facilities Committee oversees development of programming and design criteria

  • Accreditation and Best Practices Review Panel ensures compliance with accreditation and best practice standards

• Property for the new Consolidated 9-1-1 Center, located on Palmetto Commerce Parkway in North Charleston, was purchased by Charleston County. A new Emergency Operations Center for Charleston County is also planned for this facility.

• Construction on the new facility began in July, 2011.

• Consolidation is underway! (See top of overview page)

For more information on operations of the Consolidated 9-1-1 Center, contact Director Jim Lake by phone at (843) 958-4042 or by e-mail at jlake@charlestoncounty.org.

For more information on the Consolidation Dispatch Board or the Intergovernmental Agreement, contact Lori Lambert, Charleston County Project Officer, by phone at (843) 958-4005 or by e-mail at llambert@charlestoncounty.org.