The 911 Communications Center is the sole Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for Putnam County. The center manages and coordinates communication with 8 police agencies, 7 EMS agencies, and 13 fire departments.

In 2022, the 911 Communications Center answered 114,246 emergency calls for assistance. Our dispatchers are highly trained Public Safety Telecommunicators able to handle any 911 calls for assistance from an accidental misdial to childbirth or a cardiac arrest.

Each dispatcher is trained to triage incoming calls and then provide pre-arrival instructions. They coach callers on lifesaving instructions prior to the arrival of first responders.

Dispatchers provide reassurance and guide callers through the process of collecting information like the address of the emergency, the number they are calling from and the nature of the problem to allow for the dispatching of appropriate resources.

Training - The Bureau of Emergency Services offers a wide array of training opportunities in the areas of Emergency Medical Service, Firefighting, and Emergency Management. Click here for more information. (Click and go to Save a Life website)

Emergency Medical Services – Our EMS training department offers Original and Refresher EMT courses, CPR, First Aid, Stop the Bleed, and Narcan administration. For more information go to Learn to Save a Life. (Click and go to Save a Life website)

Fire – Numerous firefighting courses are available each year ranging from exterior operations to firefighter I and II courses. Ladder and engine operations, rescue operations, pump operations and many others courses become available throughout the year by request.

Emergency Management - The (TOPS) Training and Operations building also hosts a variety of Emergency Management training courses, planning workshops and informational events aimed at enhancing citizen preparedness and community resilience. Local residents, elected officials, community leaders and non-governmental organizations gain useful knowledge and training that can make them more resilient during emergencies and also identifies capabilities that can help with recovery efforts.

Continuing Education and Call Audits – continuing education is an important component in keeping our emergency medical community up to date on the latest policies, protocols, and medical advancements. Visit our calendar of events for dates and times.

Tech Rescue – The Putnam County Technical Rescue Team works in conjunction with the Westchester Technical Rescue Team. After receiving grant funding, the Putnam team began training and acquiring equipment and now is capable of responding to calls that need the support of UTV’s and wide area search and rescue. The team is working on building the capability of low angle rescue The Technical Rescue Team responded to its first call in January of 2023 assisting the Westchester team rescue a horse.

Rescue Task Force – In 2022, Putnam Lake’s Rescue Task Force became a county wide initiative. The team performs regular drills with Putnam County’s Sheriff’s and Police departments and are going through rigorous training, so they are prepared for any active threat in our community. For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hazmat The HAZMAT Team is a county sponsored team comprised of members from local volunteer Fire Departments across Putnam. The team responds to chemical spills, public transportation collisions, and the accidental releases of substances. Putnam’s Hazmat team works in tandem with surrounding counties so that each response has the correct manpower and tools needed to be successful.

Fire Investigation – The Fire Investigation Team (FIT) responds to scenes of fires where the cause is unknown, or the specific origin is not apparent. Once on scene, the highly trained and experienced team members begin a disciplined and detailed analysis to attempt to determine the cause and origin.

Fire Police - The Fire Police Team is requested when a major incident or emergency occurs and there is a need for an Incident Commander (IC). Their responsibility once on scene is to direct traffic, crowd control and provide security. They can be requested to supplement local law enforcement at public events where there are large groups of attendees.