Operating since March 13, 1989, Quincy/Adams County 9-1-1 was one of the very first countywide 9-1-1 systems established in Illinois.

Enhanced 9-1-1 was implemented on March 13, 2007 and 9-1-1 began operating in a new state-of-the-art facility at 222 N 52nd St.

Quincy/Adams County 9-1-1 dispatches for the following agencies: Quincy Police, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Camp Point Police Department, Adams County Ambulance Service, Quincy Fire Department, Tri-Township Fire Department, and 10 volunteer fire departments in Adams County.

Dispatchers answer both emergency and non-emergency calls.

Quincy/Adams County 9-1-1 serves more than 67,100 residents in Adams County and receives approximately 290 calls per day on average.

In 2019, Quincy/Adams County 9-1-1 processed 31,730 calls to 9-1-1, including 90 texts to 9-1-1. 83% of calls to 9-1-1 came from wireless phones. In addition, dispatchers answered over 63,733 calls to the non-emergency line and processed over 59,400 Police, Fire and EMS incidents.

The 9-1-1 Center has 21 employees: Director, Assistant Director, Systems Administrator, 3 Dispatch Supervisors and 15 dispatchers.

Funding for the operating budget is provided by the City of Quincy at 60% and Adams County at 40%. In addition, Quincy/Adams County 9-1-1 receives revenue from the Emergency Telephone Systems Act (ETSA) surcharge. Surcharge revenue is generated by 9-1-1 fees that citizens pay on their landline and wireless phone bills.

All Quincy/Adams County 9-1-1 employees are considered City of Quincy employees and belong to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

Quincy/Adams County 9-1-1 has an authorized staff of 15 full-time dispatchers. At least three dispatchers are on duty at all times.

Why do the 911 staff ask so many questions? Don't they already know the location of the phone that dialed 911?

Verification of information is critical to ensure the right resources are sent to the correct location. We understand that asking specific, often scripted questions may seem to take a long time but typically emergency units have already been dispatched. The emergency dispatcher may continue to ask questions in order to obtain additional details about the victim, patient or suspect. This additional information may change the response, provide a situational assessment, or provide safety updates for responders. Depending on the call type, pre-arrival instructions may be given to the caller to help the caller or others before emergency responders get to the scene.

Verification of information is critical to ensure the right resources are sent to the correct location. We understand that asking specific, often scripted questions may seem to take a long time but typically emergency units have already been dispatched. The emergency dispatcher may continue to ask questions in order to obtain additional details about the victim, patient or suspect. This additional information may change the response, provide a situational assessment, or provide safety updates for responders. Depending on the call type, pre-arrival instructions may be given to the caller to help the caller or others before emergency responders get to the scene.

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate individual tours. We do provide tours to community groups such as scouts, civic associations, etc. To arrange for a group tour please contact the Director at (217) 228-4572.

Yes. With sufficient notice we will be happy to provide a speaker for your group or meeting to talk about 9-1-1 and Quincy/Adams County 9-1-1. Please contact the Director at (217) 228-4572.