In times of emergencies or times of need, picking up the phone and dialing 911 in Kanawha County is commonplace. The Ned Chilton 911 Center in Charleston, home to Metro 911 of Kanawha County, has been serving the citizens since 1986.
Derek Johnson, a captain at Metro 911, said they serve roughly 900 square miles and 200,000 people in Kanawha County. Capt. Johnson also said during the work week that number rises by about 100,000 people. Johnson said the center receives between 1,300 and 1,600 calls day-to-day and around a half a million calls on a yearly basis.
Weather affects the call volume, he said. During the winter months, according to Johnson, the call volume slows down.
"With the winter it gets colder outside ... the kids are still in school, there's just not a lot for you to do in the winter time," he said.
However, in the summer months the call volume is a little different.
"During the summertime that call volume could double," said Johnson.
Through the years Metro 911 has been the command center for emergency services in the county. Its primary goal, according to Johnson, is to serve the citizens in Kanawha County. The 911 center is responsible for two EMS agencies, 22 police stations and 32 fire stations across the county.