The Communications Center is a very important part of this office. It one of the few offices within Jackson County that is operated 24/7, including holidays.  There are a total of 10 persons who work within this section. There are four 2-person teams and two floater positions. All Telecommunicators  work a 12-hour shift, either 07:00 -19:00 or 19:00 -07:00 with rotating shifts.

The Communications Center Telecommunicators receives and answers all types of emergency and non-emergency calls  occurring in Jackson County, NC.  At the present time there are nine 911 lines to be answered. 

This department dispatches for several different organizations within Jackson County which includes the Sylva Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, 7 Fire Departments, 2 Rescue Squads, 2 Ambulance Services, Emergency Management Office and the Fire Marshal’s Office.  Other federal, state and local government agencies are dispatched from this office.

911 Information

1. What is 9-1-1?
• 9-1-1 is an emergency number that provides expedient access to law enforcement agents and emergency services in the County.
   
2. When do I call 9-1-1?
• Call 9-1-1 to report any type of incident, which requires a response from a law enforcement agency and/or emergency services in the County.
   
3. When do I not call 9-1-1?
• When cable or power goes out
• Weather conditions
• Road conditions    1-877-368-4968
• School closings
• Phone numbers and road directions
   
4. Why do the dispatchers ask all those questions?
• When reporting an emergency to 9-1-1, general information is needed:
• Address of emergency
• Telephone number calling from (at residence or place of event)
• Nature of emergency (what is happening or what kind of emergency)
• Depending on type of emergency, the telecommunicator may need to keep you on the line for further instructions or information until help arrives.

The information is needed to pass on to law enforcement or emergency services responding to event.

*****Try to remain as calm as possible during a 9-1-1 emergency so that the Telecommunicator can understand what is being reported.

In case of an emergency dial 9-1-1.

For non-emergencies dial 828-586-1911.

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