The phrase has been ingrained in the collective consciousness in the past several decades; it took many years to make it the universal emergency number for all of Texas.
AT&T set aside 911 as an emergency number in 1968, and it took time and effort to implement across the U.S.
In Texas, the Commission on State Emergency Communications (CSEC) was born in 1987 when the 70th Legislature created it to implement services where there were none, notably in rural areas, according to the agency’s website.
Fast Facts
The commission’s codified responsibilities and rules are listed in the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 771, and it has a narrow focus on statewide 911, Next-Generation 911 (NG911) and poison control services.
In turn, Regional Planning Commissions (RCPs) were enacted to allow local government entities to cooperate and collaborate on planning and development. RCPs submit 911 strategic planning to the CSEC at regular intervals.
Milestones include the CSEC's work with the Department of Information Resources to establish contract vehicles meeting NG911 requirements. These contracts enable municipalities to purchase at a discount and help eliminate friction in the procurement process.
The CSEC runs the Texas Poison Control Program, providing a 24/7 hotline and educating residents and youth about preventing poisonings. This program started in 1993 and has been under the commission’s purview since 2010.
Budget
CSEC has an overall budget of $64.3 million for FY 2024 and $64.5 million for FY 2025; the bulk will go to 911 operations and equipment replacement.
Leadership
Kelli Merriweather has served as executive director since 2011 and has worked for the CSEC for 27 years total, according to the agency’s legislative appropriations request. There are 26 full-time employees.
Grace Milam is the information technology director, taking the reins in August, according to her LinkedIn profile.
