911 call center

Outages have hit at least eight states this year. They’re emblematic of problems plaguing emergency response communications due in part to wide disparities in capabilities and funding.

Florida is among 32 states that don’t treat 911 dispatchers as first responders. Recent efforts in the state Legislature to change that have not advanced.

Operators will have a map to show exactly where the call comes from and then will share that information with responders.

A new fire station to serve the growing number of homes near Cecil Airport, as well as the businesses in and around the joint civil-military airport and...