Emergency Communications
Established in 1994, Emergency Communications' primary mission is to serve the citizens of Douglas County, including the cities of Baldwin, Eudora, Lecompton and Lawrence, by acting as a communications link between the citizen who needs an emergency service response and those law enforcement, fire, and medical response agencies who provide such services.
The department accomplishes this mission by providing enhanced 911 telephone services for the entire county (except the University of Kansas Campus), radio dispatching personnel and equipment for the 23 law enforcement, fire, and medical response agencies serving the cities, townships, and rural areas of Douglas County, Kansas.
Medical Priority Dispatch System
The Douglas County Emergency Communications Center uses the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS). It is a universal standard for dispatchers taking calls in a broad range of responses and triage. It is a subset of the larger Emergency Priority Dispatch System (EDPS).
The Emergency Priority Dispatch System (EPDS) gives emergency dispatchers decades of knowledge and wisdom in one comprehensive solution, empowering them to provide an objective, rational response to even the most distressing or unusual calls—regardless of their time on the job. Because even the most experienced dispatcher can forget during a frantic call, the EPDS is built on a structured call-taking methodology, drawing on time-tested, scientifically validated protocols, as well as world-class training and certification to make sure the dispatch process is grounded in proven practices.
The EPDS includes four separate-but-integrated systems—Police Priority Dispatch System™ (PPDS®), Fire Priority Dispatch System™ (FPDS®), Medical Priority Dispatch System™ (MPDS®), and Emergency Communication Nurse System™ (ECNS™). The protocols are protected by 91 current and 74 pending patents, and each is continuously evaluated and updated to ensure emergency dispatchers have the latest, most relevant information to deliver exceptional emergency support.
Source: IAED
Director Tony Foster
Tony Foster
Director
Tony Foster has been with Douglas County Emergency Communications since 2010. He began his career as a Communications Officer and was promoted within until becoming the Director in 2020. Tony strives for innovation and is dedicated to the ECC’s success and excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can contact your local fire department at:
Baldwin City Fire Department
- 610 High Street, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006
- Phone: 785-594-3678
Clinton Township Fire Department
- 1177 E. 604 Road,… Read More
For these issues, you can contact your local Police Department or the City of Lawrence's Municipal Court/City Prosecutor at:
Baldwin City Police Department
- Address: 811 8th Street, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006
- Phone: 785-… Read More
1) What is the location of the emergency? This is the address where the emergency is actually happening. If you do not know the actual address, tell the dispatcher. They may ask the following:
- Cross streets or a "hundred block".… Read More
You should be prepared to answer questions like these:
- Where is the fire?
- What is on fire?
- How large is the fire?
- Are any structures threatened? Are there flames moving close to any homes, buildings or gas tanks… Read More
If you accidentally dial 911, do not hang-up. Stay on the line and tell the dispatcher that everything is alright. If you don't, the dispatcher will automatically think that something is wrong and send a police officer to check.
The same dispatchers who answer the 911 calls also answer the non-emergency calls for service for all law enforcement agencies in Douglas County. When the dispatch center is busy, the dispatchers have to ask non-emergency callers to hold on… Read More
Judicial and Law Enforcement Building
111 E 11th St
Lawrence, KS 66044
United States
Hours: Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm
Email: Email Us
Phones : 785-843-0250 , 785-832-5237 (admin)
