Baldwin County 911 Call Volume Climbs to 11,000 a Month as Population Booms

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. — Baldwin County 911 call volume has climbed sharply as the county’s population keeps growing, with dispatchers now handling as many as 11,000 calls a month, up from a typical 7,000 to 8,000, according to the agency’s leaders.

The surge reflects the steady stream of new residents and visitors in one of Alabama’s fastest-growing counties, and it has reshaped how the county’s emergency communications center staffs its dispatch floor.

Thousands more calls each month

Kathryn Byrd, deputy director of operations for Baldwin County 911, described how quickly the workload has risen.

“Our call volume, which was usually 7,000 to 8,000 a month, has now increased up to 11,000 a month on the floor,” Byrd said.

At the high end, that represents an increase of roughly 3,000 to 4,000 calls a month compared with what had been typical — or somewhere around 100 additional calls on an average day.

Officials said the reason is straightforward: more people living in and visiting Baldwin County means more emergencies, more crashes, more medical calls and more requests for help, all of which come through the 911 center.

More dispatchers on every shift

Baldwin County 911 Director Kristi Stamnes said the center has had to adapt to keep up with demand from both residents and the large number of tourists who visit the county’s beaches and attractions.

“We have to be prepared to accept that influx of calls, the influx of visitors. The need for more dispatchers has increased. It’s drastically changed from 20 years ago,” Stamnes said.

Byrd, who has been with the agency for nearly 24 years, said the change is visible in how many people are working the dispatch floor at any given time.

“We’ve gone from, when I was first hired, almost 24 years ago, from three dispatchers on the floor. Now we are at seven minimum,” Byrd said.

The department now employs about 45 dispatchers. Keeping the center running also depends on information technology staff, management and other support teams, officials said.

Statewide recognition

That collective effort recently earned Baldwin County 911 the state’s 2026 Public Safety Answering Point of the Year award.

A public safety answering point, or PSAP, is the term used for a call center that receives 911 calls and dispatches police, fire and emergency medical services. Baldwin County 911 serves as that hub for emergency calls across the county.

Stamnes credited the entire staff for the honor.

“It’s not any one particular person or department. It’s everyone working together,” Stamnes said. “Something I’m very proud of. I’m very proud for them.”

Growth not expected to slow

Baldwin County has been among Alabama’s fastest-growing counties for years, with new subdivisions, businesses and schools rising from the Eastern Shore to the beaches and up through the central and northern parts of the county. That growth affects nearly every public service, from roads and schools to emergency response.

Officials said they are always looking for more dispatchers to join the team, since they expect the county’s growth to continue for the foreseeable future. Emergency dispatch work involves answering calls, gathering critical information from callers who may be frightened or injured, and quickly sending the right responders, often while providing instructions over the phone until help arrives.

How residents can help dispatchers

With call volume rising, residents can help 911 centers work efficiently by following widely recommended guidance from emergency officials nationwide:

• Call 911 only for emergencies, such as a fire, a crime in progress, a serious crash or a medical emergency. Use non-emergency lines for routine matters.
• Know your location. Be ready to give an address, nearby cross streets, a mile marker or landmarks. This is especially important for visitors who may not know the area well.
• Stay calm and answer questions. Dispatchers ask specific questions to send the right help; answering them does not delay a response.
• Do not hang up if you dial 911 by mistake. Stay on the line and tell the dispatcher it was accidental so they do not need to call back or send someone to check.
• Follow instructions and stay on the line until the dispatcher tells you it is OK to hang up.