Tyrrell commissioners assented May 17 to an agreement between Dare, Tyrrell and Hyde counties to construct and operate a regional emergency communications center.

The 911 center is being built in Manteo and will provide a minimum of two telecommunicators on duty 24/7. A backup center will also be established in Dare County to provide a backup public safety answering point to comply with proposed North Carolina Administrative Code rules.

Tyrrell and Hyde do not currently have dual telecommunicators, and none of the counties has a backup site.

All employees of the three-county center will be Dare County employees. Much of the funding comes from grants and 911 telephone surcharges. Uncovered costs will be prorated according to 911 call volumes from the three counties.

The sheriff, county manager and one commissioner from each county, plus the Dare County Communications Director, will form an advisory committee to guide the development of the project, which is expected to be operational by September 2017.