9: How an Online 911 Service Can Be a Success w/ James Lake, Director of Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch Center

South Carolina is regularly hit by hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters that can compromise or overwhelm traditional 911 phone service. The emergency dispatch center wanted to provide an alternate means of communication for the public.

They decided to offer it via the Internet.

James (Jim) Lake, Director at Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch Center in Charleston, SC, is a true tech forward 911 leader.

Charleston County has rolled out a first of its kind website called 911HelpMe.com. Residents can use this website to contact emergency services when 911 call volume is too high, phone services otherwise unavailable, or an emergency situation makes it advisable.

It's designed in such a way that during an emergency, administrative staff, who are not trained dispatchers, can easily and appropriately route the overflow from 911HelpMe.com.