Overview

The E911 system is considered to be one of the most advanced in the State of Idaho. The "E" stands for "Enhanced" 911 service. This means the caller’s phone number and location appear on a video screen at the Center for each 911 call received.

Functions

Blaine County Emergency Communications has two main functions. The first function is to take requests for assistance from the public and dispatch public safety units from the Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum, and Sun Valley Police and Fire Departments, including EMS and First Responders. BC Communications also performs this function for the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office, Wood River Fire and Rescue, Carey Rural Fire, West Magic Fire, North Blaine County Fire, and Smiley Creek Fire departments.

The second function is to answer E911 calls. In December of 2007, Blaine County Emergency Communications became a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), answering E911 calls for several towns. Today BC Comm answers E911 calls for the communities of Bellevue, Carey, Gannett, Hailey, Ketchum, and Sun Valley in addition to the unincorporated areas of Blaine County. The combined population of Blaine County is approximately 30,000.

Renovations

In 2020, the communications center began an extensive renovation as part of its preparation for the "Next Generation of 911" (NG911).  This included Computer infrastructure replacements and 9-1-1 call-taking infrastructure for its primary and backup sites. This helps to ensure that the future growth of the communications center remains seamless.

About the Center

The communication center has 15 full-time employees including the Director, 14 full-time certified Emergency Communications Officers (ECO), and two part-time employees; a GIS Analyst and CAD-RMS Administrator. All ECOs must maintain certifications such as Idaho POST certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch certification, Emergency Fire Dispatch certification, a 40-hour Basic Telecommunicator certification, CPR certification, TDD certification, ILETS Entry, and Query Certification, and National Incident Management System certifications. Only those persons who meet a wide variety of qualifications and wish to pursue a career in communications are hired as Emergency Communications Officers.

The Telecommunicators answer approximately 45,000 calls annually.