What is a call center responsible for answering emergency calls known as?

A call center that is specifically designated for answering emergency calls is referred to as a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). This designation highlights its critical role in handling 911 calls and other emergency communications from the public. PSAPs are tasked with efficiently routing these calls to the appropriate emergency services, such as police, fire, or emergency medical services.

The term PSAP encompasses the functionality of receiving and dispatching emergency calls, which is fundamental to public safety operations. In addition to triaging the calls, these centers often have trained staff who can provide immediate assistance or instructions to callers while emergency responders are dispatched, further underscoring their importance in emergency management.

Other options might reference centers involved in emergency communication or response, but they do not specifically capture the formal designation and operational role that a PSAP plays in the emergency response framework.