• To get help for someone who is hurt
• If you see someone taking something that belongs to someone else
• If you see someone hurting someone else
• If you smell smoke or see a fire

In any emergency situation POLICE, MEDICAL or FIRE, call 9-1-1 FIRST

Does everyone in your family know that a call to 9-1-1 from a "pay phone" is FREE?

Do you know when NOT to call?

• Never call 9-1-1 as a joke.
• Never call 9-1-1 to ask for information
• Never call 9-1-1 just to see if it works.

Martin County Communications is a 24-hr. emergency dispatch center for all law enforcement, fire, rescue, Emergency Management and other county agencies.

The Communication Center is located on the ground floor of the Martin County Governmental Center, adjacent to the Martin County Sheriff Department.

The Center is manned by eight (8) full time, civilian Telecommunicators and one Supervisor.

The Telecommunicator’s duties are:

• Receive complaints and emergencies via telephone and/or radio and then dispatch appropriate personnel in response.
• Monitor various radios including: Fire, Law Enforcement, utilities, rescue, citizens bands, Emergency Management, NC State Highway Patrol via scanner, NC Forestry Service and Wildlife Agency. 
• Monitor approx. 200 fire, burglary and holdup alarms 
• Test fire sirens, fire pagers and rescue pagers daily to assure that they will work in actual emergencies. 
• Maintain records of calls and enter information into the National Crime Information Computer. 
• Relay requested information to the Highway Patrol, such as driver’s histories and vehicle information; assists Wildlife officer, dog warden and Social Services with information and calls. 
• May act as temporary Jailer/Matron for the Martin County Sheriff Department.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

CURRENTLY HAVE PHASE I SERVICE FOR WIRELESS 911 CALLS. PHASE I GIVES THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE CELL PHONE CALLER ALONG WITH THE CELL TOWER NUMBER. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THE PHASE II SERVICE AND HOPE TO HAVE IT COMPLETED BY THE SPRING OF 2005. PHASE II GIVES THE LOCATION OF THE CELL PHONE, THE REGISTERED OWNER, TOWER NUMBER AND LAT./LONG.

Some of the equipment used is as follows:
Multi frequency Motorola Centracom Control Console, fifty line telephone system. Dictaphone rapid recall recorder, dual reel-to-reel Dictaphone 5000 tape recorder, Okidata Microline weather computer, Sperry-Univac Computer, Cobra citizen band radio, Bearcat programmable scanner, emergency management radio, Sharp video monitor, Olympia electronic typewriter, digital alarm system, various maps and reference materials.

Each Telecommunicator must have knowledge of the methods of operating the Communications system; knowledge of radio and law enforcement codes and procedures. Knowledge of the county geography and location of important landmarks; ability to read maps efficiently. Ability to think and react quickly under stress and have excellent memory. Skills and abilities in typing and using basic office equipment. Basic computer skills and abilities in dealing effectively with co-workers and the public under stressful conditions. Skills and abilities in acquiring and relaying information accurately; ability to read military time. Skills and abilities in understanding and following oral and written directions and instructions.

Educational requirements include some knowledge of a body of process or operations which typically require previous general training or experience; and the level of general education achieved in graduation from high school. Must also have upon employment or obtain within a reasonable period of time, a State Division of Criminal Information Certificate and be re-certified every two years.

*Cell phone can still dial 911 even if service has been disconnected.