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The History of Bristol
Tennessee 911
The Bristol Tennessee Emergency Communications District was established by referendum
in 1994 and operates in conjunction with the Bristol Tennessee Police Department. The 911 District is responsible for
all 911 equipment and services and the Police Department furnishes the personnel, facility, and dispatching equipment.
The 911 is a separate entity operated under the direction of a seven member Board of Directors. The Police Chief,
Blaine Wade, is the chair of the 911 Board. Mrs. Virginia Smelser, the Communications Manager, manages both the 911
and the Communications Division of the Police Department.
Historically, there has been some confusion over
the role of 911 versus dispatch in the realm of emergency response. The law, TCA 7-86-103, currently states that 911
should receive the 911 call, determine the emergency and location, and notify the appropriate response agency. Consolidated
dispatch centers, such as ours, include the initial dispatch and coordination of all follow up to and from
the responding units. Our 911 is located in the Police Department and the calls are answered by the same
personnel who will be dispatching and coordinating the emergency response.
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