River Valley 911 to merge police and fire dispatch with DOT funds
The River Valley 911 Communications Center will use the funds to consolidate dispatch services for Sebastian County, aiming for completion by late 2028.
By Ibrahim Howard ·
The City of Fort Smith announced on Monday that it has secured an $8 million federal grant to construct a new 911 call center. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program. Wes Milam, director of the River Valley 911 Communications Center, stated that the money will allow the agency to consolidate police, fire, and emergency medical services dispatch into a single facility. He described the award as a major relief for the organization.
Milam began working toward this consolidation in June 2025. His efforts are part of a state mandate requiring the reduction of Arkansas 911 centers from 114 to 79. The River Valley 911 Communications Center currently manages dispatch for all of Sebastian County. In 2025, the center processed more than 157,000 calls, averaging over 430 per day. The agency operates with 28 telecommunications workers and six supervisors.
The total project cost is expected to be at or below $10 million. The federal award requires a local match of $2 million. Milam confirmed that the center’s reserve budget holds $2.685 million, which is sufficient to cover the matching requirement. The grant will also finance the purchase of new equipment for the facility.
Fort Smith City Administrator Jeff Dingman said the grant enables a major public safety investment without placing the full financial burden on local taxpayers. He noted that the team worked to make a strong case for the funding. Dingman expressed pride in the staff and thanked the U.S. Department of Transportation for its confidence in the community.
Currently, the River Valley 911 Communications Center operates out of the Fort Smith Police Department facility. Milam described the space as squeezed. In January 2026, Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker transferred control of the department’s communications unit to the River Valley 911 Communications Center. Moving to a new building will allow emergency medical services dispatchers to work under the same roof as police and fire dispatchers. Milam explained that consolidating these services eliminates seconds lost during call transfers, which can save lives.
The River Valley 911 Communications Center’s fiscal year 2027 budget stands at $4.117 million. This total includes $1.5 million from Arkansas 911 funds, $1.729 million from the City of Fort Smith, and $751,935 from Sebastian County. Milam credited Chris Hoover, the city’s grants and governmental relations manager, with identifying the opportunity and leading the application process. Hoover, a former congressional staffer, used his federal background to assist with the proposal.
Milam said a specific location for the new center has not yet been selected, but the team is reviewing options. Barring delays, he expects the new facility to be complete and operational by the end of 2028.
