Hays County Takes Final Steps To Make Combined Emergency Communications Center A Reality

“The collaborative effort with county and city officials from all aspects of public safety has not only shown the drive to make improvements to emergency services for our citizens and responders but also…”

Hays County Courthouse, TX – The Hays County Commissioners Court Tuesday approved an interlocal agreement and the associated bylaws to establish a Combined Emergency Communications Center (CECC) and Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) that will serve the majority of Hays County cities and emergency services districts.

“This CECC has been a long time in the making,” Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe said. “We realized at least 10 years ago that the growth in our county warranted a more efficient, cooperative PSAP arrangement, both for the safety of our citizens and of our first responders. We’ve worked toward that goal with studies and committees and looking at best practices. It’s gratifying that we are finally ready to put this into action.”

The Center will provide 911 call-taking and dispatch services for Hays County, Buda Police Department, and Kyle Police Department as well as the respective fire and EMS providers for all Emergency Services Districts within the County.

“The collaborative effort with county and city officials from all aspects of public safety has not only shown the drive to make improvements to emergency services for our citizens and responders but also brought forth the importance of the 911 Telecommunicator profession,” Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler said.

“The CECC will manage 911 call-taking services for Kyle Police Department and all of the agencies currently dispatched by Hays County,” said Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley. “Not only will this be more efficient, but will allow for potential cost savings due to shared resources and infrastructure, allow the participating agencies to use the same Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, and lessen the need to transfer 911 calls among agencies which will allow for faster response.” The CECC will be located at the new public safety facility approved by voters in 2016.

Emergency communication services for Buda and Kyle Police Departments as well as for the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, the five County Constables’ Offices, San Marcos-Hays County EMS (outside of the City of San Marcos), South Hays Fire Department, Kyle Fire Department, Buda Fire and EMS, Wimberley Fire Department, Wimberley EMS, North Hays County Fire and Rescue, and Chisholm Trail Fire and Rescue will be operated out of the CECC.

The City of San Marcos is not participating in this new system and partnership.