SEACOM Saves Lives

By Larry Scott

Walking into the Southeast Arizona Communications (SEACOM) Regional 911 Center in Sierra Vista feels like stepping into the nerve center of public safety. Dark walls frame a large operations room lined with ten dispatcher stations, each equipped with multiple oversized screens. It is impressive — and purposeful.

“When I came on board a few years ago, I thought my background as a dispatcher had prepared me,” said Executive Director Tammi-Jo Wilkins. “I quickly realized how much more there was to learn. The pace of technology has been incredible.”

When a 911 call comes in, operators instantly see aerial imagery pinpointing the caller’s location, whether in a neighborhood or a remote rural area. As basic questions are asked — location, nature of the emergency, immediate dangers — the conversation is captured, transcribed, and shared in real time with responding units.

But SEACOM’s work goes far beyond dispatching help.

In critical situations where seconds matter, dispatchers stay on the line, guiding callers through lifesaving actions such as CPR, stopping severe bleeding, or even delivering a baby. That real-time coaching continues until responders arrive, effectively shrinking the gap between call and care.

Fry Fire Chief Mark Savage calls the system a “game changer,” noting that responders now arrive better informed, with updated details on medical conditions, fire behavior, terrain, or suspect activity already in hand.

The backbone of this system is a set of internationally proven, on-screen protocols — more than 150 standardized checklists covering medical, fire, and law enforcement emergencies. Dispatcher training is rigorous, but the results are undeniable.

SEACOM now coordinates search and rescue, supports hazardous materials incidents, and will soon provide after-hours dispatch support for Fort Huachuca and backup services for Arizona DPS.

In a job that may handle up to 1,000 calls a day, the work is intense — but profoundly rewarding.