Communications

Northern Ellis Emergency Dispatch


The Northern Ellis Emergency Dispatch (NEED), located at the Midlothian Police Department is crucial to the smooth and efficient delivery of emergency services to the citizens of Midlothian, Ovilla, and Red Oak.

It is comprised of one Manager and 12 specially trained 911 operators/dispatchers.

The communication center is where all telephone and walk-in calls for service are received. Using a state-of-the-art Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD), 911 operators assign and dispatch emergency and non-emergency calls for service to the three cities Police, Fire, and EMS.
The CAD system computer tracks all calls received and dispatched to ensure that they are handled quickly and effectively.

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Additional responsibilities


Additional responsibilities include utilizing the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) computer database to:
  • Check for outstanding warrants and criminal histories
  • Determine if property is stolen
  • Verify vehicle registration for patrol officers on duty
  • Verify liability insurance coverage on vehicles

When to use 9-1-1


When to use 9-1-1

9-1-1 should be dialed when a Police, Fire or EMS/Ambulance is needed.

A Police emergency is any situation involving a crime in progress, or an imminent threat to life, bodily injury, or major property damage or loss. A good example of a police emergency would be a fight or assault in progress, or a home or business burglary in progress.

How to use 9-1-1
When you have an emergency:
  1. Dial 911
  2. Remain calm; speak slowly and clearly
  3. When the operator answers;
    • Describe the emergency
    • Give the exact location where help is needed
    • Answer all questions asked by the operator
  4. Do not hang up until the operator is finished
Many times callers think that response to their emergency will be delayed by remaining on the phone and giving information to the operator. This is not true. When the basic information has been entered into the dispatch computer, the call is routed to Fire, Police, or EMS units within seconds. By staying on the line you may aid the Police or Fire personnel who are responding to your call by keeping them updated with the latest information.

How 9-1-1 works
When you dial 9-1-1, your call is received by an operator in the Northern Ellis Emergency Dispatch Center (N.E.E.D.), located at the Midlothian Police Department, who processes your call and determines what type of emergency you have. The priority of the call is determined according to the circumstances of the call and will be dispatched according to priority and available resources. As an added safety feature, the telephone number and location that you are calling from is usually displayed when the operator answers your call. This feature is not available from cellular telephones or operator assisted calls.

The operator will ask you to give the location of the emergency, even if a phone number and address are displayed when you call. This is necessary to verify the address and specific location of the emergency. Remain on the line with the operator until you are released, if possible. Your call dispatched via the “Computer Aided Dispatch”(CAD) system, usually within seconds, and other information obtained from you is added to the call.