City Announces Opening of New Emergency Communications Center
Published on June 27, 2024
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow, and Lincoln Emergency Communications Center Manager Jessica Loos today opened the new Lincoln Emergency Communications Center (LECC) at the Lincoln Police Department (LPD) Northeast Team Station. The new, expanded LECC improves the resources and work environment for local 911 dispatchers, featuring technology and facility upgrades to better serve Lincoln and Lancaster County’s growing communities.
“As part of our commitment to making Lincoln the safest and healthiest capital city in the country, my administration prioritized creating a new, state-of-the-art Emergency Communications Center,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said. “The new Center provides our 911 dispatchers with more space and upgraded technology to enhance public safety and deliver swift, successful emergency response for our growing community.”
The 51-member LECC team of dispatchers and supervisors moved from its Hall of Justice location into the new facility in late June. The expanded center has capacity for 61 staff members and allows the center to increase the number of communications consoles from 18 to 24. A new class of seven dispatchers is expected to begin training in August and September.
“For those suited for this stressful and challenging career, we want to provide a comfortable space that’s desirable for talented telecommunicators to call home professionally,” Chief Morrow said.
The LECC shares the building with the Lincoln Police Department, which moved into the building in March 2023. The 18,472 sq. ft. facility includes locker space, a conference room, an exercise facility, restrooms, and training rooms all shared by LPD and LECC staff.
The City purchased the building for $2.5 million, using $1.25 million in reappropriated LPD budget funds and $1.25 million in asset forfeiture funds. About $4.5 million in federal CARES Act funds were used to renovate the building. Including another $2.3 million in reappropriated general and 911 communications funds, the total cost of the combined 911 Center/Northeast Station project is nearly $8.1 million.
Loos emphasized that providing dispatchers the tools and technology needed to perform their jobs efficiently and effectively is paramount to the speed and success of public safety response in Lincoln and Lancaster County.
“This new center marks a significant step forward, not just in facilities, but in our ability to innovate and prioritize the well-being of our team. It ensures that our commitment to service excellence in Lincoln and Lancaster County remains unwavering,” Loos said. “This space is more than walls and equipment; it's a testament to our commitment to progress and care. It will help us retain our dedicated professionals and attract tomorrow’s professionals who share our passion for serving others.
For more information on LPD, visit police.lincoln.ne.gov.