The latest news for you from SREC911: May 2025

May 2025

Have You Downloaded the SREC911 Mobile App Yet?

Stay connected and informed with the new SREC911 mobile app—your go-to resource for public safety tools and information in Spokane County!

With the app, you can:

📍 Check real-time evacuation maps

🎆 Report nuisance fireworks (on July 4th)

🔔 Register for alerts through Spokane County DEM

📝 File online Crime Check reports

🧭 Access community resources and FAQs

It’s everything you need to stay safe and in the know—all in one place.

Just search SREC911 in your phone’s app store and download today!

🚨 And remember: If you're experiencing an emergency, always call 911.

Download our Mobile App and Keep Safety at Your Fingertips

Warmer Weather Brings an Uptick in Vehicle Prowling — Stay Vigilant!

As the nicer weather rolls in, so does a seasonal increase in vehicle prowling. It’s a good time to remind everyone: don’t leave valuables in your car—especially in plain sight. Even small items like bags, electronics, or loose change can be tempting to thieves.

If your vehicle has been broken into, you can report the incident to Crime Check any time, day or night. We’re here 24/7 at (509) 456-2233.

If you witness someone actively prowling vehicles, don’t hesitate—call Crime Check immediately to report the suspicious activity. If you see someone damaging or actively breaking into a vehicle, always call 911. Your vigilance helps keep our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Stay safe and keep it locked!

🧭 Know Your Direction: Why It Matters When You Call 911

When you call 911, knowing your exact location is always the number one priority. Whether you're at home, on the road, or in an unfamiliar area, being able to tell a 911 Communications Officer where you are helps get emergency responders to you as quickly as possible.

But there's another piece of information that can make a big difference: your direction of travel.

Why Direction of Travel Matters

When you're on the move—especially while driving—it can be difficult to describe your location precisely. Landmarks may be few, and roads can stretch for miles without clear indicators. That's where knowing whether you're headed north, south, east, or west becomes incredibly useful.

Here’s how it helps:

🚓 Faster response: If responders know the direction you’re headed, they can help locate you more quickly—even if your exact position is hard to pinpoint.
🚑 More accurate dispatching: Dispatchers can direct emergency crews to the correct side of a highway or intersection, saving crucial minutes.
🚒 Better situational awareness: In large or evolving incidents like wildfires or hazardous spills, understanding direction is essential for evacuation and responder coordination.

Pay attention to road signs, highway mile markers, or even overhead signs on interstates, which often indicate direction. Knowing your direction of travel might seem like a small detail, but in an emergency, it could make a big difference. So the next time you're on the road, take a second to check—north, south, east, or west—just in case you need to call 911.

Stay safe and aware out there!

Behind the Headset: Acknowledging the Emotional Toll on 911 Professionals

Every day, 911 Communications Officers are the calm voices guiding people through some of the most terrifying moments of their lives. While they remain composed and focused—gathering information, dispatching help, and supporting callers—they often hear and absorb the emotional weight of traumatic events.

For years, the psychological impact of trauma has been acknowledged for frontline responders like law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS personnel. Only recently has the professional world begun to fully recognize that 911 professionals, too, experience trauma, even though they are not physically present on the scene.

At SREC, we take this reality seriously. Our Communications Officers are not only trained professionals—they are human beings who carry the emotional burden of countless calls. Thankfully, they do not carry it alone.

We are proud to have a dedicated internal Peer Support Team, made up of employees who understand firsthand the unique challenges of this work. This team has received specialized training, equipping them to support colleagues and train others in how to recognize, respond to, and manage the emotional impact of the job.

This role is not for everyone—but for those who choose to serve their community in this vital capacity, SREC is committed to standing beside them with compassion, tools, and a strong network of support.