The next time you call 911, who picks up could change drastically depending on where you are in Spokane County.
The City of Spokane and Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) are negotiating the creation of separate 911 systems.
SREC currently handles emergency calls for 21 different city and county organizations, including the Spokane Fire Department. However, the city says SREC has been “disagreeable and unwilling to consider recommendations that meet the city’s needs.”
SREC, the county, and the city will meet in June to mediate a separation of the 911 communications.
In a statement, SREC said:
“SREC, Spokane County, and the City of Spokane are scheduled to participate in a mediation session on June 11 to discuss the future of their partnership. While this process is ongoing, it’s important to note that any changes resulting from these discussions would not take effect before January 1, 2026—and even that timeline is contingent on several factors still being determined.SREC will continue to operate without interruption, providing reliable 911 services to partner agencies across Spokane County, with stable funding in place regardless of the City of Spokane’s future decisions or tax allocations.”
Governor Bob Ferguson also recently signed House Bill 1258 into law, which the city hopes will provide tax revenue for its 911 communications system if that becomes necessary.
“I am grateful to the Washington Legislature and Governor Bob Ferguson for passing House Bill 1258 and signing it into law. This bill ensures equitable distribution of local 911 excise tax funding for emergency communications, which is essential in building a fair, effective, and reliable system should the City of Spokane need to establish its own. With this legislation, we will be equipped to develop the best possible emergency communications infrastructure, ensuring that anyone in the City of Spokane – whether they live, work, play or visit – receives the highest level of emergency response when they need it most,” said Mayor Lisa Brown.”I’m grateful to Representatives Timm Ormsby and Natasha Hill, and to the Legislature, for passing HB 1258. This bill brings greater equity to how emergency communication services are funded. It recognizes the essential role cities like Spokane play in dispatching and responding to 911 calls—and helps ensure we have the resources needed to protect our communities,” said Spokane Fire Chief Julie O’Berg.”The passage of HB 1258 ensures that Spokane receives its fair share of 911 funding to support fast and reliable emergency response. This is a crucial investment in public safety and emergency response for the City of Spokane. Reliable, well-funded 911 communications are the backbone of effective policing and lifesaving services. This bill ensures that the Spokane Police and Fire Department’s emergency call infrastructure and staff are appropriately supported, now and into the future — and that our community gets the responsive, coordinated care it deserves. We appreciate the Legislature’s acknowledgment of Spokane’s operational role and the needs of our community,” said Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall.
The City of Spokane plans to establish its own system by the beginning of 2026.
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