Northern Middlesex Regional Emergency Communications Center

06/12/2026

"Imagine this..."

It's a scorching Friday evening.

You finally get home after a long week.

You run outside, cannonball into the pool...

💦 SPLASH.

A few seconds later, your watch starts blaring:

📱 "Emergency SOS Activated. Calling 911..."

Now, instead of enjoying the start of your weekend, you're explaining to a dispatcher that you're perfectly fine and just got a little too enthusiastic with your cannonball.

Believe it or not, accidental 911 calls from smart watches happen more often than you'd think—especially during summer activities, workouts, falls, water sports, and yes... aggressive cannonballs.

If your device accidentally calls 911:
✅ Stay on the line if possible
✅ Let the dispatcher know it was accidental
✅ Don't hang up and ignore the call back
✅ If emergency services are dispatched, let them know you're okay

We'll gladly take the accidental call if it means your device is there when you really need it.

#911

06/11/2026

We asked one Millennial dispatcher and one Gen Z dispatcher to create a job posting for the exact same position. The results were... pretty much what you'd expect. 😅

One focused on benefits, responsibilities, and career growth. The other focused on vibes, impact, and being the calm in the chaos.

Different styles. Same mission.

📞 Answer the call.
🚔 Support first responders.
🚒 Help people on their worst day.
❤️ Make a difference in your community.

At NMRECC, we're not looking for a generation; we're looking for people who can stay calm under pressure, think critically, communicate effectively, and genuinely care about helping others.

Whether you're a Millennial, Gen Z, Gen X, or somewhere in between, public safety communications offers an opportunity to make a real impact every single day.

🚨 We're hiring Dispatchers.
🔗 https://nmrecc-ma.gov/join-our-team

06/08/2026

Supervisor: ‘What went wrong on that call?’

Dispatcher: 😅😅😅

In reality, these conversations aren’t about blame. Dispatchers follow established procedures and protocols on every call. When something doesn’t go as expected, we review it together, identify lessons learned, and look for ways to improve training, procedures, or policies. Continuous improvement helps ensure we’re ready for the next call, because no two emergencies are exactly alike.

🚔🚒🚑📞

06/07/2026

On Friday, June 5, NMRECC experienced an unusually busy day, with a total of 392 calls presented to the center.

That included:
- 298 business line calls
- 94 incoming 911 calls
- 93 of those 911 calls were answered
- 1 911 call was abandoned (hung up prior to answering)

For perspective, the 298 business line calls were 151.9 calls above our average Friday from January through May, and 22 calls higher than the previous busiest Friday in that same comparison period. On the 911 side, the 94 calls presented were 47 calls above the January through May Friday average, making it about 2 times a typical Friday for 911 call volume.

What makes days like this especially challenging is not just the number of calls, but the kinds of incidents dispatchers may be handling all at once — from house fires and serious medical emergencies to mental health crises, motor vehicle crashes, and other urgent calls for help.

No matter the pace or the type of emergency, our dispatchers remained calm, focused, and ready to respond. Behind every ringing phone is a team working hard to provide help, direction, and support when it matters most.

Thank you to our dispatch staff for your professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to serving Dracut and Tewksbury every single day.



Dracut Police Department Dracut Firefighters, IAFF Local 2586
Tewksbury Police Department - MA Tewksbury Fire Department Tewksbury Firefighters Local 1647

06/06/2026

10 seconds. That’s all it took to get help started.

In this emergency involving a child drowning in a pool, dispatchers moved quickly to get responders on the way. Just as importantly, trained bystanders were already performing CPR before any instructions were needed.

A strong reminder of how critical fast action and CPR training can be in an emergency.

The Tewksbury Police and Fire Departments responded Friday afternoon to an unresponsive child in a pool at an apartment complex and provided immediate medical support.

On Friday, June 5, at 5:51 p.m., the Tewksbury Police and Fire Departments were called to the Balsam Place Apartments at 100 Balsam Place for a report that bystanders pulled an unresponsive child out of a pool.

Bystanders had already started CPR when police and firefighters arrived. Firefighters immediately took over those efforts. The child was then transported to a local hospital by the Tewksbury Fire Department.

A preliminary investigation discovered no signs of foul play, but the incident remains under investigation.

06/02/2026

🖤💙🖤

In Memoriam – Retired Sergeant Mark Perry

It is with profound sadness that the Tewksbury Police Department announces the passing of Retired Police Sergeant Mark Perry.

Sergeant Perry dedicated more than 38 years of service to the Town of Tewksbury and its residents. He began his law enforcement career as a Police Officer on May 22, 1988, was promoted to Sergeant on January 5, 2003, and continued serving the community as a Reserve Police Officer following his retirement in 2020.

Throughout his distinguished career, Sergeant Perry exemplified professionalism, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to public service. He served as a mentor, leader, and trusted colleague whose impact on the department and community will be felt for generations.

His dedication to protecting others and his willingness to continue serving even after retirement reflected the deep pride he had in the profession and the Town of Tewksbury.

We extend our deepest condolences to Sergeant Perry’s family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of serving alongside him. During this difficult time, we ask the community to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.

Rest easy, Sergeant Perry. Thank you for your service, your leadership, and your lasting legacy. Your watch has ended, but your impact will never be forgotten.

🖤💙

05/31/2026

UPDATE: It appears the area has been restored to power!
---
- Area of Bridge Street from RT113 to Chuck Dr is without power due to a branch falling onto a power line. National Grid is enroute to assist. No ETA for restoration at this time. Please avoid the area of Bridge St near RT113 to Spring Park as it is the affected area.

Dracut Police Department Dracut Firefighters, IAFF Local 2586

05/30/2026

So sorry about the big booms, everyone. One of our dispatchers put down one of their three drinks a little too hard.

05/13/2026

Congrats to the NMRECC dispatchers nominated for their individual awards AND the entire staff for team of the year!

05/09/2026

- Donohue Rd is currently closed from Mammoth Rd to Wiggin Ter due to an accident with a pole down. Reported power outages in the area. Dracut Police and Fire are on scene, National Grid responding. Please avoid the area.

Dracut Police Department Dracut Firefighters, IAFF Local 2586