The citizens of Seminole County voted for 9-1-1 service in 1996. The first emergency call was received November 1, 1999 at 3:34pm reporting an accident on North Wiley Avenue. This call was received during the testing phase for our 9-1-1 Center. In 2000, Seminole County received only 820 calls to 9-1-1. In 2018, that number increased to over 6,300 calls with approximately 90% of those calls coming from wireless phones.

The Seminole County E-911 Center operates under the direction of Sheriff Heath Elliott. Since beginning, the 9-1-1 surcharges on both land-line and wireless phones have provided the funding for the operation of the Emergency Dispatch Center. The salary for the Communication Officers is provided from Sheriff’s Office budget.

Your 9-1-1 center can receive calls from hearing / speech impaired callers using TDD/TTY technology. It can also receive Voice-Over-Internet calls.  Seminole County 9-1-1 has also contacted with TeleLanguage  to provide interpretation services for non-English speaking callers.

As 9-1-1 technology continues to increase, Seminole County attempts to stay with it.  In doing so, Seminole County has implemented Text-2-911.  In the event of an emergency, a citizen can send a text message 9-1-1 if he/she is unable to make a voice call.  In the future, we will able to receive videos.

If you have any questions regarding the operation of the Seminole County Emergency 9-1-1 Dispatch Center, please contact Coordinator Paula Whaley at 229-524-5115.

As mandated by law under O.C.G.A. 35-8-23, Emergency Communications Officers shall complete a basic training course as approved by the Georgia Police Office Standards and Training Council. Seminole County’s communications officers attend this class at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth.  Effective January 1, 2024, Communication Officer must complete additional POST approved traning hours each year.  

Communications Officers are also certified by the Georgia Crime Information Center, a division of the GBI, as terminal operations allowing them access to the nation’s Criminal Justice Information System network. Terminal Operators are recertified every year.

Paula Whaley, 911 Coordinator

Pam Helms

Tonya Wilkerson

Chris Knight

Shakela Wimbush 

Jasmine Busby 

Arianna Chandler 

Morgan Middleton

Elizabeth Varnum 

Brad Bell 

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Communications Officer Prayer

Lord, in order to do my job better, please give me:
the patience of Job,
the wisdom of Solomon,
the hide of an elephant,
the knowledge of law,
the ability to see around corners, thru walls, and read minds,
the ability to remember to location of every street, road, apartment and business in town and county,
And The Strength To Carry The Load To Perfection…                                               

author unknown.

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In March, Seminole County 9-1-1 personnel received the 2019 Georgia Emergency Communications Team of the Year award.  They were nominated and selected based on their actions during and after Hurricane Michael.  The team processed 235 calls to 9-1-1 during a 36-hour period from noon on October 10th to midnight on October 11th.