911 Dispatch Center
The Columbia County Combined Emergency Communications Center is the primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for all of Columbia County, Florida. A secondary back-up PSAP is located off-site.
The Center provides centralized dispatch services for Columbia County and Lake City Fire Departments, EMS resources, and law enforcement dispatch for the Columbia County Sheriff's Office as part of the Columbia County First Response System. It is located at 263 NW Lake City Avenue, Lake City, Florida.
The Center uses a computer-aided dispatch system with GPS tracking to dispatch the nearest appropriate unit to emergencies. All operators are certified by the Florida Department of Health as 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicators.
When to Call 9-1-1
In an emergency, call 911 immediately from any wired or wireless phone. An emergency requires immediate assistance from police, fire, or ambulance. Examples include:
- A fire
- A crime, especially in progress
- A car crash, especially with injuries
- A medical emergency (unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe bleeding, etc.)
If you're unsure whether it's a true emergency, call 911 and let the call-taker decide.
Be prepared to provide: location, phone number, nature of emergency, and details. Do not hang up until instructed. If you dial 911 by mistake, stay on the line and explain.
Emergency Management
The Emergency Management Director prepares plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters and other emergencies, coordinating with public safety, elected officials, nonprofits, and government agencies.
Publications
Fire Department
Fire Stations