Perry County explains how E-911 helps emergency callers faster
Perry County’s E-911 system automatically shares your phone number and address, helping dispatchers move faster in emergencies like crashes, fires and medical calls.
When someone calls 911 in Perry County, the operator automatically receives the caller’s telephone number and address. In a county with Hazard, Buckhorn, Vicco and scattered mountain communities, that built-in location data can shave time off the first minutes of an emergency response.
What the “enhanced” part means
The “E” in E-911 stands for enhanced. The system is designed so the operator gets the caller’s number and address right away when a person is injured, confused, unable to speak clearly or does not know exactly where they are.
911 is the accepted worldwide emergency number and is meant for people seeking help in an emergency. It is meant to simplify the calling process when every second counts, and it is easy to use for the elderly, youth and handicapped. A trained telecommunicator answers the call and assesses the situation quickly to send the right help.
When to call 911, and when not to
In Perry County, 911 is for emergencies, not routine inquiries or administrative matters. If someone is having a medical emergency, involved in a crash, trapped in a fire, or facing any immediate threat to life or safety, 911 is the right number to use.
Emergency calls move to the front of the line. A dispatcher working through a serious crash on a mountain road or a house fire in Hazard cannot afford to sort through non-urgent questions about office hours, paperwork or service requests. Those routine matters belong on non-emergency lines, where they do not delay emergency response.
- Call 911 for chest pain, trouble breathing, severe injuries, structure fires, major crashes, violent incidents or any situation that needs immediate police, fire or medical response.
- Use a non-emergency number for questions about services, routine reporting, administrative issues or follow-up that does not require an immediate response.
In practical terms, that means:
Where Perry County residents can reach help
Perry County’s E-911 center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to serve county residents. The center’s listed number is 606-436-9796 for questions or concerns that are not emergencies.
The county’s quick-links page lists agency numbers that can help steer a call to the right place before it becomes a 911 matter. Those numbers include Hazard City Police at (606) 436-2222, Perry County Sheriff at (606) 439-4523, Hazard Fire Department at (606) 436-2345 and Kentucky State Police at (606) 435-6069.
Why location data is so important in Perry County
Enhanced 911 is especially useful in Perry County because some callers are not in a position to describe where they are with precision. A person on a rural road, in the woods, or in one of the county’s mountain communities may not know a road name, mile marker or cross street. If the caller is frightened, hurt or driving, automatic location data can make the difference between a fast response and a delayed one.
The system is also intended to work for elderly residents, youth and people with disabilities in a county where geography, access and stress can complicate a call before it even reaches a dispatcher.
How Kentucky’s 911 system is organized
Perry County’s service sits inside a broader Kentucky framework. In Kentucky, 911 call centers are public safety answering points, or PSAPs, the term used by the Kentucky League of Cities, and they serve as the first response to emergency situations across the state. Funding and providing 911 service is often handled at the county level, although some cities provide service themselves or partner with counties through interlocal agreements.
Kentucky law gives local governments the authority to establish 911 emergency service and adopt regulations for it by ordinance. The law also allows local governments to enter into interlocal cooperation agreements to create a joint 911 emergency service.
What is changing in Kentucky right now
Kentucky is also moving toward a statewide Next Generation 911 system aimed at improving speed and accuracy. Gov. Andy Beshear announced the transition on June 4, signaling a broader technology upgrade for emergency communications across the commonwealth.
Residents should still call 911 for emergencies and use non-emergency lines for routine matters. The state’s upgrade is intended to make emergency location and call handling more accurate when seconds matter.
Where local emergency management fits in
Perry County Emergency Management is led by Director Jerry Stacy and works alongside dispatch, police, fire and state responders. In a serious incident, the chain of response can involve the E-911 center, local law enforcement, fire protection and emergency management working in tandem.
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