Communications

In Talbot County, the 9-1-1 Center serves as the focal point for all emergency communications. The Center is staffed 24/7 by highly trained civilian personnel. To insure continuous service to the citizens of Talbot County, the agency maintains its own backup generator system, and if needed can relocate operations to a neighboring agency.

The 9-1-1 Center handles operational /emergency communications for the following agencies:

• Talbot County Volunteer Fire Companies
• Talbot County EMS
• Talbot County Sheriff's Department
• Saint Michaels Police Department
• Trappe Police Department
• Oxford Police Department

Our dispatchers are also responsible for connecting EMS/Ambulance crews in Talbot, Dorchester, Caroline and Queen Anne counties with area hospitals to enable them to obtain orders for medications that can be administered during patient transport, and for physician consults.

The Center is also in direct contact with SYSCOM, enabling our first responders to request Maryland State Police Med-Evac helicopters, as needed.

Our communications system also allows the 9-1-1 Center to have interoperability with 9-1-1 Centers in Dorchester, Caroline, and Queen Anne counties, which enables us to send and receive mutual aid. The MESIN network allows us direct contact with 9-1-1 centers throughout the entire state, to facilitate communications with other agencies. We are also in direct contact with the National Weather Service, which enables us to pass along severe weather alerts in a timely manner.

Additionally, our communications system allows us direct contact with Maryland State Police, Natural Resources Police, Easton Police, Talbot County Roads Department, Department of Public Works, Maryland State Highway, Talbot Department of Corrections, Talbot County Board of Education, Easton Airport, and other agencies.

Our Connect CTY system enables the agency to reach out to every household and resident in the county, via phone, email, and text messages. Within minutes we are able to target specific towns, neighborhoods, or the entire county, and send out emergency messages warning county residents of severe weather conditions (blizzards, tornados, etc), significant road closings, and other important messages concerning public safety.

With TTY capability, the 9-1-1 Center is also equipped to handle the special needs of the hearing impaired, and with Enhanced 9-1-1 we can ascertain the location of most incoming 9-1-1 calls.

The scope of available communications tools allows the 9-1-1 Center to live up to the Department of Emergency Services mission statement: “Public Safety with Pride and Commitment”.