A multitude of agencies can be involved in emergency response situations, but the first people to answer are always the same: call dispatchers.

“We answer the first calls from the public when they have an emergency,” said Kris Fox, Brazos County 911’s communications manager. “When they dial 911, we answer that.”

The Brazos County Emergency Communications District was formed in 1988 and operates a 24/7 communications center for 13 law enforcement and fire agencies in the county. In September, Fox said the call center averaged 33 calls per hour with a peak of 85…