FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center (CUA 911)
Friday, October 4th, 2024
Charlottesville, VA – In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many 9-1-1 centers in the impacted regions went completely offline, with others left operating in degraded conditions, forced to reroute calls to neighboring states or other regions, as local emergency telecommunicators work long shifts to handle extraordinary demand with little relief. The Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center (CUA 911) is proud to highlight the extraordinary service of its first responders who have stepped up to lend a hand, helping impacted communities continue to access vital emergency services, while demonstrating a steadfast commitment to the agency’s “GOLDEN” values.
This week, several CUA 911 personnel were deployed to support these recovery efforts and are currently on-site in southwest Virginia, assisting with critical response and recovery operations. Deployed telecommunicators have been instrumental in providing support and relief for local officials as they work together on coordinating emergency services, maintaining essential communications, and ensuring public safety during this critical period of response and recovery. Deployment dates for these missions range from 7 to 14 days, with telecommunicators expected to be fully equipped to handle both emergency and non-emergency calls.
Additionally, other members of the CUA 911 team remain engaged in national Telecommunications Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT) activities in North Carolina. Rebecca Conners, CUA 911 Operations Manager and FEMA National Joint TERT Initiative Region III TERT Coordinator, has been working with public safety personnel in the Charlottesville area and those from across the country to coordinate responses to help those impacted by the storm. TERT teams are crucial in ensuring that emergency services continue to function and that communities receive the help they need, even as multiple 9-1-1 centers remain offline or operating with overburdened resources. CUA 911 personnel and equipment were also deployed to North Carolina, including a fuel truck capable of refilling generators that power critical infrastructure such as public safety radio towers in the absence of electrical grid connection.
CUA 911 is honored to support neighboring communities in their time of need. “Our commitment to public safety extends beyond jurisdictional boundaries. It is both our duty and privilege to assist others during crises,” said Sonny Saxton, Executive Director of CUA 911. “This deployment also serves as a reminder of the invaluable support we’ve received from neighboring agencies during large-scale emergencies that have impacted our region in the past.”
As recovery efforts continue, CUA 911 reaffirms its dedication to public service and to the professionalism and selflessness of its team members. Their willingness to step up and provide critical assistance exemplifies the highest values of public safety and community service.
About the ECC
The Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center (ECC) provides all emergency communications services for Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, and the University of Virginia. The mission of the Emergency Communications Center is to provide community safety and preparedness services through innovation and collaboration that earns community trust. The ECC receives all 9-1-1 calls in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area and serves as the central dispatch for the three local police departments, three rescue squads, and fire calls. The ECC is a nationally recognized center, having been accredited through the CALEA since 2006, as well as being designated as an APCO National Certified Training Program and Virginia Accredited Emergency Medical Dispatch Communications Center.