Lincoln County upgrades 911 system

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

Lincoln County's 911 system recently received a $250,000 upgrade.

The upgrade streamlines four dispatchers to one central location. The system also allows dispatchers to locate the address of incoming calls and the nearest emergency responders.

"It's hard to give directions especially when your loved one is in trouble and you're trying to get help to them," said Joey Wakefield, the county's emergency management director. "With the new system, you call 911, and we'll automatically send out the proper emergency crews to you."

If you are calling from a cell phone, dispatchers will still need directions. Officials expect to have the system track cell phone locations within the next year.

Officials are asking all rural Lincoln County residents to call (405) 258-1145 to verify their address to enter into the system.