BOXFORD −The Town of Boxford officially transitioned emergency dispatch operations to the North Shore Regional 911
Center (NSR911) last week. Boxford’s transition to NSR911 followed nearly two years of planning, evaluation, and implementation work. During the first year, town officials and public safety leadership conducted feasibility analysis and operational review of regional emergency communications options. Last summer, the Boxford Select Board entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with NSR911 for Boxford to become the regional center’s 11th member community. Over the past year, town staff, NSR911 personnel, and Boxford public safety departments worked collaboratively on operational planning, equipment installation, training, testing, and implementation coordination.
All emergency 911 calls and public safety dispatch operations for the Town of Boxford are being handled by NSR911 on behalf of the Boxford Police and Fire Departments.
Residents should continue to dial 911 for emergencies. Boxford Police and Fire Department non-emergency business phone numbers remain unchanged, and Police, Fire, and EMS response services within Boxford remain unchanged.
The Police Station lobby will remain open and accessible to the public 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. During periods when staff are not physically present in the lobby area, visitors may communicate directly with NSR911 personnel through an intercom system.
Over the past several years, Boxford has evaluated opportunities to regionalize certain municipal services with neighboring communities where doing so improves operational resiliency, expands available resources, and enhances long-term sustainability. In public safety communications specifically, regional dispatch models have become increasingly common across Massachusetts due to the technology, training, staffing, and coordination demands of modern emergency communications systems. Regional dispatch operations also provide greater redundancy and operational continuity during major incidents, severe weather events, or staffing shortages.
With the transition, Boxford joins Amesbury, Essex, Groveland, Hamilton, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Middleton, North Reading, Rowley, Topsfield, and Wenham as member communities served by NSR911.
“NSR911 gives our officers and firefighters access to additional resources, advanced dispatcher training, and modern emergency communications technology,” said Police Chief James Riter. “This is a strong long-term move for public safety in Boxford, and residents should continue to expect the same professional police and emergency response services they rely on today.”
“This transition represents an important investment in the future of emergency communications and public safety services for the Town of Boxford,” said Fire Chief Brian Geiger. “NSR911 provides additional resources, redundancy, and specialized emergency dispatch capabilities that support both our firefighters and the residents we serve. We are confident this regional partnership will enhance emergency response coordination and service delivery for the community.”
The transition also concludes operations of the Town’s standalone Communications Department, following decades of dedicated service to the community by Boxford’s dispatch personnel.
“This transition was not a reflection of the professionalism or performance of our Communications Department staff,” said Town Administrator Matt Coogan. “Boxford has benefited from an exceptionally dedicated and professional dispatch team over many years. Their institutional knowledge, professionalism, and commitment to public safety have been deeply appreciated by the Town, our residents, and our first responders”.
The Town expressed appreciation to retired Communications Director Warren Gould for assisting with transition planning and implementation following his retirement, as well as the many Police, Fire, Communications, Town Hall, State 911 Department, and NSR911 personnel who contributed to the transition effort.
For additional information regarding the Town’s membership in NSR911, residents may visit the Town website.
