Why Regionalization?
Why Spokane County Chose a Regionalized Model
When you dial 911, every second counts. Behind the scenes, Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) is working to ensure that calls are answered quickly, resources are coordinated seamlessly, and responders arrive as fast as possible. The regionalization of emergency communications—bringing multiple agencies together under one system—is how we make that possible for Spokane County’s 550,000+ residents.
Why Regionalization Matters
Across the country, emergency communications are becoming more complex and costly. Technology upgrades, system maintenance, and training require significant resources. For smaller or stand-alone agencies, keeping pace can be difficult. Regionalization solves this challenge by pooling resources and expertise across communities.
Key benefits include:
The Spokane Model
SREC was created in 2018 with the mission of achieving interoperability—ensuring that 911 call takers, dispatchers, law enforcement, EMS, and fire agencies can communicate seamlessly across one regional platform. Prior to this, the City of Spokane managed all of fire dispatch for the County, SCSO dispatched for themselves (as did many law enforcement agencies), and Spokane County answered 911 and Crime Check Calls. This system meant a lot of call transfers, which in addition to inviting opportunity for dropped calls or longer hold times, could create longer waits for help.
First responder agencies joined together and decided the community needed a different model—one where efficiency in cost and service would provide better care and quality for the community.
Since then, 21 of Spokane County’s 22 fire and law enforcement agencies have joined SREC, creating one of the largest Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in Eastern Washington providing:
A Journey Years in the Making
Regionalization in Spokane County didn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of decades of planning and community support:
Meeting Today’s Challenges
Funding for 911 services comes from three main sources: a 95-cent excise tax on phones, a portion of local sales tax, and user fees from member agencies. While these streams remain relatively stable, they do not cover all costs as technology, staffing, and community expectations evolve. SREC has maintained clean Washington State audits for three consecutive cycles, demonstrating strong financial accountability. Strategic investments in a new facility, a modern phone system, and a unified CAD platform ensure Spokane County is ready for future growth and NextGen 911.
Delivering Results
The impact of regionalization is already clear:
Looking Ahead
As Spokane County grows, regionalization ensures our emergency communications system grows with it. With every agency working together, we can deliver faster, smarter, and more reliable service—meeting citizens’ expectations today while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.
Regionalization isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about saving lives. And in Spokane County, it’s how we make sure every call for help is answered.
When you dial 911, every second counts. Behind the scenes, Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) is working to ensure that calls are answered quickly, resources are coordinated seamlessly, and responders arrive as fast as possible. The regionalization of emergency communications—bringing multiple agencies together under one system—is how we make that possible for Spokane County’s 550,000+ residents.
Why Regionalization Matters
Across the country, emergency communications are becoming more complex and costly. Technology upgrades, system maintenance, and training require significant resources. For smaller or stand-alone agencies, keeping pace can be difficult. Regionalization solves this challenge by pooling resources and expertise across communities.
Key benefits include:
- Reduced costs by sharing system components rather than duplicating them.
- Fewer call transfers, so help arrives faster.
- Stronger purchasing power, ensuring taxpayer dollars stretch further.
- Improved technology adoption, preparing communities for Next Generation 911 (NG911).
- Consistent service standards across agencies, so no matter where you live in Spokane County, you can expect the same high level of care
The Spokane Model
SREC was created in 2018 with the mission of achieving interoperability—ensuring that 911 call takers, dispatchers, law enforcement, EMS, and fire agencies can communicate seamlessly across one regional platform. Prior to this, the City of Spokane managed all of fire dispatch for the County, SCSO dispatched for themselves (as did many law enforcement agencies), and Spokane County answered 911 and Crime Check Calls. This system meant a lot of call transfers, which in addition to inviting opportunity for dropped calls or longer hold times, could create longer waits for help.
First responder agencies joined together and decided the community needed a different model—one where efficiency in cost and service would provide better care and quality for the community.
Since then, 21 of Spokane County’s 22 fire and law enforcement agencies have joined SREC, creating one of the largest Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in Eastern Washington providing:
- Unified dispatching: Shared call receivers and dispatchers reduce duplication and improve coordination.
- Regional systems: A countywide Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) platform is being developed to unify Spokane County agencies on a single system for the first time.
- New capabilities: From the SREC911 mobile app to Emergency Medical Dispatch protocols that save an average of 30 seconds per response, regionalization translates into real-world results
A Journey Years in the Making
Regionalization in Spokane County didn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of decades of planning and community support:
- 1998 – Spokane County fire districts consolidated into the Combined Communications Center.
- 2008 – A countywide interoperable radio system was funded by voters.
- 2014 – A new $47M digital radio system goes live allowing all agencies to communicate with each other, with radio equipment managed and installed in first responder vehicles by Spokane County.
- 2017 – Proposition 1 passed with 83% approval, securing funding for Crime Check, CAD improvements, and countywide regionalization.
- 2018 – SREC was formed as a Public Development Authority.
- 2019–2022 – Fire and law enforcement agencies joined SREC, including the Spokane Fire Department, making countywide interoperability a reality. (Note: beginning January 1, 2026, the City of Spokane has decided to create their own separate 911 communications center and will handle all their own 911 calls and dispatch for both the City of Spokane Fire Department and the Spokane Police Department).
Meeting Today’s Challenges
Funding for 911 services comes from three main sources: a 95-cent excise tax on phones, a portion of local sales tax, and user fees from member agencies. While these streams remain relatively stable, they do not cover all costs as technology, staffing, and community expectations evolve. SREC has maintained clean Washington State audits for three consecutive cycles, demonstrating strong financial accountability. Strategic investments in a new facility, a modern phone system, and a unified CAD platform ensure Spokane County is ready for future growth and NextGen 911.
Delivering Results
The impact of regionalization is already clear:
- Life-saving response times: In 2024, SREC averaged just 56 seconds for “hands on chest” in cardiac emergencies—well ahead of the international 120-second benchmark
- Enhanced services: Expanded Crime Check to 24/7 operations with more than 87% satisfaction, supported the Nurse Navigation Line, and implemented Emergency Medical Dispatch protocols
- Recognition: In addition to SREC employees being recognized at the local, state, and national level for their excellence, in March 2025, SREC was officially accredited as an Emergency Medical Dispatch Center of Excellence by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch—one of only three in Washington State
- Cost sharing & efficiency: SREC is more than 911 and owns, operates, and manages numerous systems such as the 911 phone system, computer aided dispatch system, 23 radio towers, and more than 5,000 radios in first responder vehicles, as well as all equipment and expertise necessary to run a state-of-the-art emergency communications center.
Looking Ahead
As Spokane County grows, regionalization ensures our emergency communications system grows with it. With every agency working together, we can deliver faster, smarter, and more reliable service—meeting citizens’ expectations today while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.
Regionalization isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about saving lives. And in Spokane County, it’s how we make sure every call for help is answered.