In this time of economic hardship and with everyone watching every penny, you may wonder how much you are charged for 9-1-1 services, and where does that money go. The Douglas County Emergency Telephone Service Authority collects a surcharge of 70 cents per telephone line, whether it is a landline, cellular, or VoIP, each month.  Pursuant to State Statute and our Bylaws, the DCETSA is responsible for administering the installation, operation, maintenance, upgrade, and enhancement of emergency communications services to the member agencies.  The Authority limits the use of these funds to purchase only equipment and services that directly relate to the receipt and/or dispatch of emergency calls.  So what does that mean? Part of the money collected through the surcharge is used to maintain the emergency telephone and support equipment in three public safety-answering points (PSAPs) in Douglas County.  These PSAPs are located at the Castle Rock Police Department, Douglas County Sheriffs Office, and the Parker Police Department. Douglas County dispatches for the Sheriffs Office as well as for Castle Rock Fire, Franktown Fire, Jackson 105 Fire, and Larkspur Fire.  Parker dispatches for Parker PD and for Lone Tree PD, and Castle Rock dispatches for its police department only.  All told, eight public safety agencies, and a number of support agencies benefit from these services. Examples of the types of equipment and services purchased with these funds for these three centers include:

• Phone switches that handle all incoming 911 calls
• Computer systems that tie into the phone switch
• Maintenance contracts on the hardware and software for these systems
• Consoles where the dispatchers work
• Chairs and headsets for the dispatchers

 In addition, some of these funds are used for training for the dispatchers, public education and recognition programs as they relate to 9-1-1, and for emergency callbox phones located in various parks throughout Douglas County that allow customers to call 9-1-1 if they are outside and do not have a cell phone. The Authority also puts a portion of the funds aside to fund large, expensive purchases, such as equipment that will be needed for the Next Generation, or Nexgen, 911.  This is done so that the Authority can fund these types of purchases without having to increase the surcharge or borrow funds against the Authority’s capital. So, while it is only 70 cents per line, the Authority strives to ensure that the residents of incorporated and unincorporated Douglas County get more than their money’s worth in services and equipment. 

Norris W. Croom III is the Division Chief of Operations for the Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department, and currently serves as the President/Treasurer of the DC ETSA.  He been in the fire service for 22 years, and has been on the 9-1-1 Board for the last 9 years,serving the last two as President.