Phil Baker addresses 911 communication issues during Gran Junction meeting

The Colorado 911 Task Force meeting held on July 10, 2025, highlighted significant concerns regarding the reliability of emergency communication systems. Participants expressed frustration over ongoing issues with 911 call handling and the need for improved relationships with service providers, particularly Lumen.

Phil Baker from Grand Junction emphasized the systemic nature of these problems, noting that many emergency communication centers (ECS) experience technical difficulties, such as malfunctioning phones and auto-dialing issues. He stressed the importance of having reliable systems in place to ensure that 911 calls are received without interruption. Baker pointed out that in his 30 years of experience, he has never witnessed a complete failure of cell providers or network systems, suggesting that such failures should be rare.

Baker also called for better customer care from service providers, urging them to take responsibility for troubleshooting issues promptly rather than deflecting blame to other vendors. He highlighted the need for a collaborative approach to problem-solving, where service providers actively assist ECS in identifying and resolving issues as they arise.

The discussion underscored the critical need for reliable communication systems in emergency services and the importance of accountability among service providers. As the meeting concluded, participants recognized the necessity of ongoing dialogue and cooperation to enhance the effectiveness of 911 services across Colorado.