The Town of East Hampton will assume full responsibility for answering all incoming 911 calls Town-wide beginning January 1, 2026, following the conclusion of a longstanding arrangement with the Village of East Hampton.
For decades, East Hampton Village was the Primary PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) and the Town was the Secondary PSAP. This arrangement had the village answering all 911 calls originating within the Town and forwarding police-related calls to the Town’s dispatch center at no cost to the Town. As a Primary PSAP, the village also held dispatch contracts with the fire and EMS districts such as Montauk, Amagansett, Springs and Sag Harbor, as well as with the town’s Northwest Fire Protection District and the Water Supply and Fire Protection District. (In 2025, the two town fire protection district contracts totaled $3,764,268.)
This longstanding arrangement between the town and the Village has served the community since 1989. However, this past February, the village proposed a new five-year contract for the transfer of all police-related calls at a cost of more than $1 million. The town rejected that proposal, and, on April 25, the village proposed a ten-year contract beginning at $800,000 with a 3% increase for future years, which the town also rejected. After months of negotiations failed to result in a mutually beneficial agreement, the town asked Suffolk County to become the Primary PSAP for the Town of East Hampton, with all wireless calls and town resident landline calls routed into the East Hampton Town Dispatch center.
Given the increase in the town’s year-round population and the proliferation of accidental cellphone 911 calls, the town’s analysis has determined that East Hampton Town should serve as the Primary PSAP for the entire East Hampton service area. This new arrangement would conservatively save town taxpayers more than $2.5 million over ten years.
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents is our highest priority,” said Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. “By bringing 911 call answering under the town’s operations, we are committed to providing reliable and seamless emergency response services. Residents can be assured that when they dial 911, their calls will be handled promptly and professionally, with no change to their experience.”
The town has been working for several years to increase public safety dispatcher staffing from 12 to 14, with a goal of reaching 17 dispatchers. In April, five new dispatchers were hired as part of this effort. Last year, the Town Board hired LKMA to provide engineering design to renovate the dispatch room.
The town said it is working closely with Suffolk County Fire & Rescue Emergency Services (FRES) to ensure that the needed software and mapping systems are in place to support effective regional coordination. These efforts build on the Town’s substantial investment in a modernized emergency communications network. Funded by the Town at no cost to other agencies, this $12 million upgrade, initiated in 2017, supports East Hampton Town Police, East Hampton Village Police, Sag Harbor Village Police, and the East Hampton, Amagansett, Montauk, Springs, and Sag Harbor Fire Departments and Ambulance Companies. These enhancements have significantly strengthened coordination and communication among emergency responders across the region.
Some of the fire districts made inquiries to the town regarding the potential for East Hampton Town Police dispatch to provide full Fire and EMS dispatch services beginning in 2026. The Town is currently evaluating those requests and assessing what would be required to provide such services, including coordination with State and County agencies that oversee 911 call routing and emergency communications.
“There will be no change in the public’s experience when dialing 911,” said Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo. “Your call will still be answered quickly and professionally, and we’ll work diligently to maintain the same high level of response. The safety of our residents and visitors remains our highest priority. With the additional staffing and improved infrastructure, our department is well-prepared to ensure a seamless transition.”
While the Town will assume responsibility for 911 call answering, coordination with fire and EMS districts will continue. All existing communication protocols remain in place, and the Town remains committed to close collaboration with its emergency service partners.