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Setting the Record Straight: Why Spokane’s
Emergency Communications Are Changing
Our community deserves accurate information about the public safety services it depends on. Recent articles and public statements about Spokane’s transition to its own emergency communications center have not always reflected the full history, the reasons behind the changes, or who is responsible for different parts of emergency response.
These are consequential decisions involving taxpayer dollars, trained personnel, and the systems that connect people to help. Understanding them requires more than a headline.
A regional approach, years in the making
SREC was formed in 2018 and began operations in 2019 to bring emergency communications together through a shared regional system. The goal was to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and make effective use of limited taxpayer resources.
The City of Spokane participated in regionalization discussions and planning before SREC’s formation, including development of the strategic plan identifying the need for a new dispatch platform and facility. However, the City declined to join before operations began. Spokane Fire later joined in 2022 amid staffing shortages that prevented the City from maintaining its fire dispatch operation. Spokane Police continued operating its own call-taking and dispatch service.
Discussions about full City participation continued across multiple elected administrations. Changes in leadership often meant revisiting issues and priorities that had already been discussed. That experience reinforces the value of SREC’s governance structure: public safety leaders with direct operational expertise provide continuity for decisions that require years of planning and investment.
Why a decision became necessary
Planning a new regional dispatch platform and facility required clarity about which agencies would participate. Staffing, space, technology, and funding decisions could not remain unresolved indefinitely.
In its April 2024 letter to the Mayor, the SREC Board requested a decision and offered support for either full participation or a transition to the City’s own system.
The City held two board seats and was offered a third for the Spokane Police Chief if SPD joined—more direct seats than any other participating agency. Differences nevertheless remained over the City’s request for elected officials to have a governing role and its desire to eliminate user fees. SREC supported governance grounded in public safety expertise and member-agency contributions to fund services and planned investments.
In January 2025, after learning of the City’s pursuit of legislation to redirect 911 tax funding to its separate operations, the SREC Board voted to move toward separation. Mediation did not resolve the differences, and formal notice terminating the Spokane Fire service agreement followed in June.
Describing the City as simply “being kicked out” leaves out years of discussions, offers of participation, and decisions to pursue a separate system. In December 2025, the City, Spokane County, and SREC approved an agreement establishing a phased transition.
What these changes mean for emergency response
When you call 911, your call will be answered and help will be dispatched. Who does that work behind the scenes doesn’t change that process for our community. Whether your call is managed by SREC or by the City of Spokane, the commitment is the same: getting you help as quickly as possible.
SREC will continue to serve the 13 fire protection agencies and 7 law enforcement agencies across Spokane County, along with managing and maintaining the county radio system and the 5,000+ radios in responder vehicles.
SREC respects the City’s right to pursue its own system. Respecting that decision also means being clear about how it came about and what it changes. We will continue working with the City and regional partners to help residents reach the services they need throughout the transition.
Read more about the history and transition.
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