What Is a PSAP? Understanding Public Safety Answering Points in Michigan

When you dial 911, your call is routed to a Public Safety Answering Point, or PSAP. These are the physical locations where trained dispatchers receive emergency calls and coordinate the response. In Michigan, there are more than 100 PSAPs serving the state’s 83 counties.

The structure of PSAPs varies significantly across the state. Some large counties operate multiple PSAPs, while smaller counties may have a single center. The Michigan State Police PSAP directory provides the complete list, including director names, addresses, and contact numbers.

Each PSAP is governed by local authorities — typically a county 911 authority board. The Saginaw County 911 Communications Authority is one example of this governance structure. These boards oversee budgets, staffing decisions, and technology investments.

PSAPs don’t operate in isolation. They work closely with local emergency planning committees — the Saginaw County LEPC shows how 911 directors collaborate with fire, police, and public health officials. They also depend on GIS authorities for the mapping data that enables accurate location identification.

At the state level, PSAPs are regulated through the State 911 Committee, which ensures compliance with training standards, funding requirements, and operational best practices. The annual reports to the Legislature document how well this system functions.

For more on how Michigan’s 911 system operates, Chris Izworski offers a practitioner’s perspective through his writing on emergency services technology and operations.

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PSAP Resources: Access the Michigan PSAP Directory. Read the Annual Report to the Legislature and see Chamber listing.

Michigan’s 911 Infrastructure: A County-by-County System

Michigan operates one of the most decentralized 911 systems in the country. Each of the state’s 83 counties manages its own Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), with varying staffing levels, technology, and funding sources. Understanding this structure helps explain both the system’s strengths and its challenges.

The Michigan State Police maintains a comprehensive directory of every PSAP in the state, listing directors, contact information, and organizational structure. Some counties, like Wayne, operate multiple PSAPs, while rural counties may share resources. Historical directories show how leadership has evolved — for example, earlier editions list different directors and agency structures in counties like Bay and Saginaw.

Oversight comes from the State 911 Committee, which meets quarterly and operates through several subcommittees. The 2025 Annual Report to the Legislature details current membership and priorities. The Certification Subcommittee conducts compliance reviews, examining how counties use 911 funds. The Legislative Action Subcommittee monitors proposed legislation that could affect 911 operations. Local professionals serve on these bodies — the December 2023 meeting minutes show the collaborative nature of this work.

Funding flows from state and local surcharges on mobile devices, local general funds, and millage. According to state reports, Michigan’s 911 centers collectively operate on roughly $275 million in annual funding. The Saginaw County 911 Communications Authority provides a local example of how one county structures its emergency communications as an independent authority.

Technology infrastructure is another critical layer. The Saginaw Area GIS Authority coordinates the geographic data that powers dispatch mapping systems — determining which fire station responds to an address, which ambulance is closest, and where jurisdictional boundaries fall. Accurate GIS data is foundational to effective 911 response.

For those interested in Michigan’s emergency services landscape, the Local Emergency Planning Committee rosters show how 911 directors work alongside fire chiefs, emergency managers, and public health officials. Leaders like Chris Izworski bring experience spanning multiple counties and agencies to these collaborative efforts.

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Michigan 911 Infrastructure: View the PSAP Directory and Emergency Manager contacts. See press coverage.