Terry Young, McDowell County Emergency Management Director, gave an update on the county’s 911 emergency call center.

The county and city government is completing a project that combines the two functions.  The new facility will be located in the bottom of the current Marion Police Department.  In the past, some residents would have to be transferred between the two 911 call centers depending on their residency location.  Now, one call will go direct to the right center.  This can potentially save certain callers up to 15 seconds in response time – a huge savings in an emergency.  Also, the number of technicians on a shift will double.  This means a better insurance rating for the whole county.

Interestingly, Terry also talked about the history of emergency calls in the county.  At one, not too long ago time, a call for an ambulance was made to local funeral homes!  Also, McDowell County just implemented the 911 call system in 1987.  Before that and residents had to know local numbers for each agency.