Establishment of a consolidated emergency communications system for Onondaga County, New York reflects a long-standing interest in improving the ability of public safety resources to respond to calls for emergency assistance. In the early 1970s, then County Executive John H. Mulroy established a committee to explore the feasibility of creating a 9-1-1 system for the county. The resulting proposal was not approved. Development of 9-1-1 systems continued around the country; however, in 1988, the county executive, Nicholas J. Pirro established a new committee to revisit the issue.

In 1990 the county legislature authorized a telephone surcharge (35 cents per line per month) to establish an expanded county wide emergency communication system for receiving telephone requests for emergency assistance and for dispatching appropriate resources promptly.

Onondaga County, NY 9-1-1 Communications Control Center groundbreaking ceremony, 1991

The 9-1-1 Communications Control Center, under the direction of the Commissioner of Emergency Communications, consolidates the call-taking and dispatching functions previously provided by eight major communications centers in Onondaga County (New York State Police, Syracuse Police Department, Onondaga County MRD, Town of Clay Police, Village of Solvay Po­lice, Syracuse Fire Department, Onondaga County Fire Control and Village of Skaneateles). Consolidation of these communications functions resulted in an 18 percent reduction in personnel.

To establish the 9-1-1 Center, the County studied 9-1-1 operations in other communities, established task forces of public safety personnel to asses local circumstances and need and to participate in the design of the Onondaga County system. Participation agreements were secured with municipal authorities throughout the county and representatives of city and county fire, emergency medical services and law enforcement agencies were assigned to the project development team. In addition, a number of other community resources were involved at this stage in recognition of their programmatic responsibilities in providing assistance in emergency circumstances. Additional agencies responsible for public education and for facilitating contact with populations with special needs were also involved at this stage to ensure broad and effective community preparation for inauguration of the new emergency communications system.

Onondaga County, NY 9-1-1 Communications Control Center, 1992

Contracts were signed for the development of electronic hardware and software, telephone line data base, work stations, radio and microwave transmission systems, and site development and building construction. The new 9-1-1 Communications Control Center was constructed adjacent to then, Onondaga County Fire Control, Sheriff’s Department, and  On­ondaga County EMS Bureau to house the new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. By November 1991 the 9-1-1 Center took possession of its new facility.

On January 1, 1992, all personnel from existing communications centers were transferred to the county payroll under the new Department of Emergency Communications to prepare for on-going training and orientation to the new center. Full operation of then existing communications centers were continued until the final switchover.

Onondaga County, NY 9-1-1 Communications Control Center training room, 2017

The switchover began on May 10, 1992 when the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department Mobile Radio Dispatch (MRD) function was transferred to the 9-1-1 Communications Control Center. One week later, May 17, 1992 the City of Syracuse Police dispatch function moved to the center. The dispatch function of other agencies followed including, The Village of Solvay Police Department on May 19, The Town of Clay Police on June 10, The New York State Police on July 8, Onondaga County Fire Control on September 22, City of Syracuse Fire Department on October 13, and the New York State Park Police on November 2.

On October 27, 1992 at approximately 7:00 a.m. the 9-1-1 emergency telephone number was officially activated by County Executive Nicholas Pirro. The 9-1-1 emergency telephone number is now activated throughout Onondaga County.

Onondaga County, NY 9-1-1 Communications Control Center, 2017