Officials fault outmoded equipment for system failures to the life saving system that received 29,898 emergency calls for help last year.
To keep up with technological advances, cash strapped 9-1-1 must find $15.2 million to replace it.
Two recent breakdowns in December are concerning central dispatch.
"Over the Christmas and New Year's holiday we had a major failure of the microwave system, which links our three tower sites together," said 9-1-1 Systems Administrator Jeffrey Satkowski. "Each time the failure effectively halted our ability to communicate with the public safety agencies in Lapeer County. Fortunately, we were able to utilize the Michigan Public Safety Communications System digital radio system as a backup to maintain a small level of communication until our own system was repaired."
Repairs completed Jan. 9 were costly because of hard to find components for the aging system that are no longer covered under a service contract. While they're still available, 9-1-1 purchased more of the expensive parts in case of another failure, said Satkowski.
But changing technology has also improved operations at the center that opened in 1997 and now averages about 114,000 emergency and non-crisis calls a year.
"In 2000, 53% were from land lines and 47% were from cell calls. In 2008, 36% were from land lines and 62% from cell phones and 1% from Internet phones," said 9-1-1 Director Vic Martin. "This shows where our society is changing with technology and how it has affected our center."
Central dispatch receives most of its calls reporting traffic mishaps from cell phones.
"We're getting better firsthand information from people involved or those passing by," Martin said. "It used to be that people would have to leave the scene and hunt down a phone booth or knock on a neighbor's door."
But technological advances, such as switching from analog to digital systems, are hurting 9-1-1's pocketbook.
"Our center opened in 1997 and had one of the best analog radio systems for the time," Martin said. "As you have seen with TVs, our radio systems will have to change over to digital also. We're looking at the least expensive and yet the best system to change to in the near future."
A 9-1-1 technical board made up of fire, police, EMS, 911 and government officials will consider a consultant's recommendations and other alternatives.
