911 center consolidation gets green light from Cumberland County commissioners

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — Cumberland County commissioners unanimously approved an amended resolution Friday morning that would make the county the lead agency of a consolidated 911 communications center, setting up another round of negotiations with the City of Fayetteville just days before a state-imposed deadline.

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The emergency meeting comes amid renewed efforts to merge the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), commonly known as 911 call centers.

The debate has stretched on for 19 years to consolidate the two emergency communications centers.

On Thursday, the Fayetteville City Council approved a resolution outlining a framework for a joint 911 center. The proposal called for a state-funded, third-party consultant to help determine which agency should lead the consolidated operation, while also recommending an 18-to-24-month implementation timeline and protections for current dispatch employees.

On Friday, county commissioners responded with a revised proposal that agrees with many aspects of the city’s plan but rejects the idea of allowing a consultant to decide who should oversee the merged center.

“We identify as the lead agent, and that’s been a point for 20 years, quite frankly,” Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere said to CBS17.

County leaders instead proposed that Cumberland County serve as the lead administrative agency under a joint governance structure with shared decision-making authority.

“Our board felt that those decisions on who is the administrative authority… those decisions are meant for the governing board who represent the entire people. Not a third party,” deViere said.

County proposes a consultant, but not to decide leadership

The county’s amended resolution still supports hiring an independent consultant, but only to assist with consolidation and implementation recommendations.

Under the proposal, the state would be asked to fund the consultant. If state funding is unavailable, Fayetteville and Cumberland County would split the cost equally.

The county’s proposal would also:

• Require the city and county to sign a memorandum of understanding covering employee protections, salary parity, governance, accreditation standards, cost allocation, and implementation details.
• Designate Cumberland County as the lead administrative agency for the consolidated center.
• Establish measurable performance standards and require an independent performance review after four years of operation.
• Formally invite Fort Bragg to participate in future consolidation discussions.
• Extend the implementation timeline to up to 36 months after consultant recommendations are received.
• Request that the North Carolina General Assembly delay legislative action while local governments continue negotiations.

County leaders also proposed extending the deadline to select a consultant from 15 days to 30 days after a joint resolution is approved.

One sticking point remains

Despite years of debate, commissioners acknowledged that leadership of the consolidated center remains the primary obstacle.

“So there is 90% of what we agree to,” deViere said during an exchange with CBS 17.

“But it’s always that one thing,” CBS 17’s Justin Moore asked.

“It has been that one thing for 20 years,” deViere responded.

The disagreement comes as Republican lawmakers in Raleigh consider legislation that could force the consolidation of the city and county call centers within 12 months if local leaders fail to reach an agreement.

Fayetteville leaders expressed feeling blindsided by county leaders getting state lawmakers involved. 

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“Nobody is forcing anybody’s hand. I can’t speak to the legislature does. And even in that bill it says that the county could, may; it doesn’t mean that we have to do anything,” Chairman deViere told CBS17’s Justin Moore.

North Carolina House Bill 1220 also includes language stating that unless otherwise designated by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, the consolidated Public Safety Answering Point would be operated and maintained by Cumberland County government.

DeViere said local leaders should continue working toward a solution before state lawmakers intervene.

“For whatever reason, that has stopped the process. We have to move through that. We have to have an answer to that. You can’t kick the can down the road even further,” he said.

Still, the chairman expressed optimism that an agreement can be reached.

“I’m going to remain optimistic that this is a step in the right direction and we will find common ground and move it forward,” deViere said.

Public safety leaders brief commissioners

During Friday’s nearly three-hour meeting, commissioners heard from Cumberland County Emergency Services Director Garry Crumpler, Cape Fear Valley EMS Chief Peter Allen, Fort Bragg Emergency Services Chief Josh Hopkins, Hope Mills Fire Chief Matthew Cain, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Major Roberto Reyes and Assistant County Manager Heather Skeens.

Officials discussed the county’s current 911 operations, Tri-ACE accreditation status, relationships with regional emergency response agencies, Fort Bragg coordination efforts, behavioral and mental health integration and recommendations from previous public safety working groups.

Commissioners also reviewed letters from the towns of Eastover, Falcon, Hope Mills, Linden, Stedman and Wade, along with a January 2026 resolution from Spring Lake supporting continued efforts toward a unified communications center.

Throughout the discussion, commissioners emphasized protecting public safety services, maintaining uninterrupted emergency communications, safeguarding employees and preserving recommendations developed through previous leadership groups.

“This isn’t about a city or county or who wins,” deViere said. “This is about providing services and what we are charged to do and what I raised my right hand to do.”

What’s next?

Both governments face a June 30 deadline to submit a joint resolution to state Sen. Tom McInnis as lawmakers weigh whether to take action on the issue.

The county’s amended resolution will now be sent to the Fayetteville City Council for consideration.

If an agreement is reached, local leaders hope to move forward with the long-discussed consolidation of emergency communications services. If not, the future of the merger could ultimately be decided by the North Carolina General Assembly.

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