In a major move to strengthen emergency response systems, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser officially unveiled the newly renovated Public Safety Communications Center (PSCC) on Wednesday. The site now serves as the city’s second 911 call center, designed to ensure the emergency helpline stays online—even during large-scale disruptions.

The $18.5 million project expanded the center’s capacity by 40%, knocked down physical barriers, and introduced cutting-edge technology to support real-time emergency communications.

“It is absolutely imperative that 911 centers all across this nation have a secondary center so that 911 doesn’t go dark,” said Heather McGaffin, director of the Office of Unified Communications.

Located near Howard University, the PSCC is now fully equipped to host a complete team of dispatchers, call takers, and emergency personnel, allowing seamless operations if the main Unified Communications Center (UCC) is ever compromised.

Highlights of the upgrade include:

• Room for all emergency staff during crisis relocations

• A 24/7 operational schedule

• State-of-the-art dispatching systems and equipment

• 90% staffing levels across call takers and dispatchers

Veteran fire dispatcher Devon Williams praised the new space, calling it “really high tech” and filled with “bells and whistles we didn’t have previously.”

The improved redundancy comes amid past scrutiny of the city’s 911 system for misrouted emergency responses. Officials hope the enhancements will boost public trust and response efficiency, especially as the city continues to grow and change.