Regional 9-1-1 Program Staff
The BVCOG Regional 9-1-1 program oversees the planning, implementation and financial responsibilities of 9-1-1 service in six rural counties. The 9-1-1 service includes all the network, database, and equipment necessary for the proper routing of 9-1-1 calls and text messages in Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Washington counties.
[NOTE: Brazos County is a 9-1-1 District and not included in the BVCOG 9-1-1 Regional Program. All activities, stats and facts excludes Brazos County 9-1-1 District.]
BVCOG 9-1-1 Geographic Information System (GIS) also serves as an integral resource for the county addressing in the six regional counties. BVCOG GIS assist with address, database maintenance and mapping services.
The BVCOG Regional 9-1-1 Program consists of seven Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) that answer over 120,000 calls for 9-1-1 service each year. The 7 PSAPs answer 9-1-1 calls from a geographically designed service area and are located at the Burleson County Sheriff’s Office, Grimes County Sheriff’s Office, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Navasota Police Department, Robertson County Sheriff’s Office and Washington County 9-1-1.
In 1987, the 70th Texas Legislature created the Commission on State Emergency Communications (CSEC) to administer state 9-1-1 service in those areas where service is provided by Regional Planning Commissions (RPC). CSEC oversees the 9-1-1 activities and allocated funds to the RPCs. For more information about funding of the regional 9-1-1 program and applicable rules see the CSEC website.
Text-to-9-1-1 is now available in the BVCOG region. Sending a text message to 9-1-1 should be used when making a voice call is not possible or would be unsafe. You should only text 9-1-1 in an emergency. DO NOT TEXT and DRIVE. Pull over to a safe location before sending a text to 9-1-1. Call if you can, text if you can’t.
On March 1, 2016 CSEC adopted Rule 251.16 (Direct Access to 9-1-1 Service) to implement Kari’s Law. The law states: For a multi-line telephone system that provides outbound dialing, Kari’s Law requires direct access to 9-1-1 service without the caller having to first dial an initial number, digit, prefix or other access number of code before dialing 9-1-1.
To learn more about Kari’s Law, please refer to the following resources: