Public Safety Communications

The Department of Public Safety Communications     (9-1-1 center) is staffed by 33 fully trained emergency communicators. Each 911 communicator must complete approximately 400 hours of training including two weeks at the SC Criminal Justice Academy, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification, certification in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Emergency Fire Dispatch, before they are allowed to answer their first 911 call without assistance. An example of the responsibilities assigned to Public Safety Communications related to emergency communication/911 are:

  • Answer all 911 calls, emergency phone calls and non-emergency calls including requests for information, and alarm calls that do not originate through 911. When Public Safety Communications receives a 911 call for the local police departments the call is transferred to the appropriate agency. 
  • Dispatch, coordinate and manage all of the York County Sheriff’s Office and Tega Cay Police Departments emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
  • Dispatch, coordinate and manage all fire emergency and non-emergency calls for service for all 18 volunteer or paid fire departments including the municipal departments of Fort Mill, Clover, Rock Hill, Tega Cay and York. 
  • Dispatch, coordinate and manage all of the medical emergency and non-emergency calls for service for Piedmont Medical Center and the 7 rescue squads. 
  • Dispatch, coordinate and manage all requests for service for the Coroner’s Office.
  • Ensures coordination for all emergency responders.
  • Provide National Crime Information Center services for the Sheriff’s Office and other local police departments.
  • Serve as the county’s 24 hour warning point for emergency notification from the National Weather Service, Catawba Nuclear Station, and the South Carolina Emergency Warning Point.
  • Provide after business hours answering service and dispatching services for Animal Control, the Department of Social Services, Office of Fire Safety, Office of Emergency Management, York County Water/Sewer and the Red Cross. 

 

Training Opportunity Announcement:

York County Public Safety Communications is hosting an APCO Institute Training Course for Communications Center Supervisor, 4th Ed. on October 2nd-4th 2013.  For more details please see this flyer.

 

In 2012 the Emergency Communications/911 center processed the following:

331,499 Incoming 9-1-1 and Administrative Telephone Calls

67,798 Calls for service for the Sheriff’s Office

6,249 Calls for service for the Tega Cay Police Department

34,662 Calls for service for EMS/Rescue Squads

13,064 Calls for service for Fire Departments

1,371 Calls for service for Animal Control

1,074 Calls for service for the Coroner’s Office

301 Calls for service for the Department of Social Services

Mission Statement

To respectfully serve the public and responders while maintaining our commitment to the preservation of life and property through prompt and effective communications utilizing state of the art technology.

Contact Information
Gary Loflin, Director
Public Safety Communications
 PO Box 12430
149 W Black St
Rock Hill, SC  29731
 Phone: (803) 329-0911
 Fax: (803) 324-7420
 psc@yorkcountygov.com

FAQs

I've accidently dialed 9-1-1. What should I do?
If you accidently dial 9-1-1 and do not have any emergency it is important to stay on the line and explain to the call taker that answers your call that you dialed 9-1-1 by mistake. Hanging up before speaking with the 9-1-1 call taker will result in the call taker calling you back and law enforcement could be dispatched to your location.
Who do I call for non-emergencies?
For non-emergencies, such as noise complaints, animal complaints and police related incidents where there is not a crime in progress, contact our non-emergency line at (803) 329-1110 or (803)628-3056. Please keep in mind, 9-1-1 does not provide legal advice.
Why was I put on hold, after advising 9-1-1 that I needed to talk to law enforcement?
When a caller requests a law enforcement agency other than the York County Sherriff's Office or Tega Cay Police Department, the 9-1-1 call taker will get the local municipal police department on the line with you. This process may take approximately 2-3 seconds by a one-button transfer. The 9-1-1 call taker will remain on the line until both parties are heard talking to each other, then we will disconnect.
When I'm standing inside York County and using a cell phone to dial 9-1-1, why can my call go to another county?
Cell phones "look" to the closest available cell phone tower to process any phone call. If that tower is busy, without you knowing it is doing so, your call will bounce to the next available tower which may be in another county. If that's the case, the call will go to the local 9-1-1 center in that county and that center must then transfer your call to the York County 9-1-1 center. With transferring the call from one county to another county technology limitations will not allow certain information to be displayed to the final answering point, so always be prepared to give detailed location and contact information to the call taker.
Does the 9-1-1 call taker know my location?
Always assume the 9-1-1 call talker does not know your location. Even if your cell phone is able to provide location information, you will need to provide the 9-1-1 call taker with additional location information. Remember, the approximate location the 9-1-1 center receives could be as large as 3 football fields or more. Be prepared to give specific directions to your location if possible.
Why do you ask so many questions when I call 9-1-1?
The 9-1-1 call taker needs to ask questions to determine what is happening and where it is happening. While the questions may seem unnecessary, the information helps them get the right responders to your location as quickly as possible. Answering these questions is not slowing down the response to your emergency. On all emergency situations another Telecommunicator is dispatching the emergency responders while the 9-1-1 call taker continues to gather your information.
I’ve locked myself out of my vehicle/residence. Can you assist me?
Law Enforcement, Fire Departments, and Rescue Squads within York County refrain from doing this due to liability reasons. However if there is a child or animal locked in the vehicle, this could be a life threatening situation. So, If there is a child or a pet locked in the vehicle, please call 9-1-1 so we can get assistance to you immediately.
I’ve accidently set off my alarm. What should I do?
You should contact your alarm monitoring service and advise them of the situation and they will notify us to cancel. You will need your proper passcode when you contact your alarm company to cancel.
Is Public Safety Communications (dispatch/9-1-1) hiring or taking applications?
You can check to see if we have any positions open by clicking here or by calling Human Resources at (803) 684-8812. We do not take applications unless we have an open position.
Can the local fire department fill up my swimming pool?
York County has one volunteer fire department, Clover Fire Department, that will assist citizens with filling up their swimming pool (for a small fee). They have a city owned tanker that they use. All county fire vehicles are only used for firefighting and emergency responses.
How old do I have to be, and do I need to be medically trained to apply for a job at Public Safety Communications (dispatch/9-1-1)?
The minimum age to apply is 18 after High School Graduation. Each Telecommunicator receives over 900 hours of training before they are allowed to answer a 9-1-1 call without direct supervision.
I do not need an ambulance, but I need a ride to the hospital?
We try to assist callers so they don't tie up an advance life support ambulance. We usually suggest you contact a non-emergency transport company such as Trans-Med (888-826-0911) or Ambu-Star (803-980-2628), or perhaps a family member, taxi, or neighbor could assist with these needs.
Can you tell me what's wrong with me over the phone?
Like most medical professionals, the 9-1-1 call taker does not give medical advice over the phone. If you have a medical emergency we will send you an ambulance. When in doubt please call 9-1-1 and we will send you an ambulance staffed with trained medical professionals to assist you.
I need to pay my ticket. What do I do?
You need to contact the magistrates office listed on the ticket (near the middle) directly to pay your ticket. For a list of all the York County Magistrates and their contact information click here. If you are trying to pay a ticket issued by the Tega Cay Police Department you can pay it at the Tega Cay Police Station during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8am-4pm).
I need information about someone that has been arrested and/or is at the detention center. Who do I contact?
You can contact the York County Detention Center directly at (803) 628-3088. If the person you are inquiring about has just been arrested within the last hour or two they may not have been booked into the detention center yet.
I have a dead animal in the roadway near my house. What do I do? Can you help?
If you have a dead animal and are located on a state maintained roadway contact the SCDOT at (803) 737-2314 or submit an online work order request here. If you are located on a county maintained roadway contact animal control at (803) 628-3200 and they will be able to assist you in the removal of the carcass.
My cat is up a tree and will not come down, what can you do?
Fire departments refrain from doing this due to the possibility of injury to an emergency responder. In actuality, most cats get excited as the firefighter gets within reach; so they either jump at them, go higher up the tree, or attack. Some firefighters have lost their balance and fallen to the ground. We suggest you place some cat food at the base of the tree and the cat will come when it gets hungry.
Can you light my pilot light for me?
Fire departments within York County do not provide this service. York County Natural Gas has been known to assist customers with these issues. You can contact York County Natural Gas at (803) 684-4248. If you have a gas leak or think you may have a leak, safely exit the structure and contact 9-1-1 immediately.