The mission of the Department of Emergency Communications is to enhance the quality of life of every person (citizen, private business, college, etc.) in Worcester by receiving and processing 911 emergency calls and non-emergency calls by dispatching the appropriate emergency responder units in a prompt, efficient, courteous and professional manner, to help save lives, protect property and assist the public. We strive towards making Worcester a safer community in which to live, work and visit.

This department is responsible for operating the Emergency Communications Center, which answers 911 calls, complaint calls, switchboard calls, and dispatches Fire and Police emergency responses. All requests for emergency assistance pass through the communications center and result in over approximately 120,000 emergency call responses per year. It is estimated that approximately 500,000 emergency and non-emergency telephone calls are answered each year. 911 recordings are available for public information requests at a fee of $30.00 per call. Please contact us at (508) 799-1776 for more information.

This department is also the agency that maintains the city-wide radio network backbone, used by all of the other city departments' communications functions. There are over 2,300 radio units on the system, creating in excess of 28,000 radio transmissions per day.

Press Releases

04/16: FEMA Outreach

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Individuals With Disabilities

In order to obtain equal access to emergency communications via the Enhanced 911 system, individuals with disabilities can use devices with pre-recorded messages as long as this device does not disconnect at the conclusion of the recorded message.

911 Disability Indicator Form (31KB)

For more information about such devices to be used for this purpose, please contact:

Emergency Communications Department
9-11 Lincoln Square
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 799-1776