As seen during Hurricane Helene, Buncombe County’s Public Safety Communications is the very first first-responder, saving lives and gathering crucial information during widespread catastrophes and everyday emergencies. After a nationwide search, Buncombe County is excited to introduce Dr. Osiris Carter as the next Director of Public Safety Communications. “This department is the bedrock of our County’s emergency response. When our residents, businesses, and visitors are in need, it is the voice of this team that they hear first. This makes this work invaluable and quite possibly lifesaving,” says Assistant County Manager DK Wesley. “The 911 Call Center deserves the leadership of an expert and transformative leader. This department has gone through many changes over the last few years and will experience more as it progresses to become the premier agency in not only the state but the nation.”
As a seasoned emergency services professional with more than 15 years of public safety communications experience, Dr. Carter says this is the perfect opportunity for his career trajectory. “The recent consolidation with the City of Asheville is indicative of an Emergency Services System that is desirous of trending upward in our industry and dedicated to providing top-tier service. The area is beautiful, poised for continued growth, and has an amazing team in place,” explains Dr. Carter.
Eager to get started, Dr. Carter says his first order of business is to meet the team and help contribute to the department’s positive momentum. “I want to establish a sense of consistency, fairness, and equity within our team. Looking through the long-term lens, our goal is to become the Flagship Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in our state and region. I want our system to become the example of how to create an internal environment that delivers services that our residents, local businesses, and visitors can trust and believe in,” he says.
Assistant County Manager DK Wesley says that vision and ambition is exactly why Dr. Carter stood out as a candidate. “From the onset, he demonstrated strong leadership acumen and knowledge of the public safety communications industry. He has experience at almost every station in a 911 Center. That gives him deep perception into what each staff member is dealing with, the challenges and opportunities. Additionally, he articulated a focus on excellence that is grounded in caring for and developing staff,” notes DK.
Buncombe County looks forward to seeing our award-winning Public Safety Communications department continue to evolve under Dr. Carter’s leadership. His first day is Feb. 24, 2025.
Dr. Osiris Carter professional biography
Dr. Osiris Carter, originally from Atlanta, GA, is widely known for his dynamic and upbeat personality. Dr. Carter is a 16-year veteran of Public Safety Emergency Services and is extremely excited about joining the Buncombe County Team.
He earned his Master of Business Administration Degree from Mercer University in 2013, and his Doctor of Business Administration Degree from Argosy University in 2019. Dr. Carter is also a graduate of NENA’s Center Manager Certification Program (CMCP), APCO’s CALEA Accreditation Manager Program, and a 2024 F.O.C.U.S. Award recipient. In addition, Dr. Carter has owned his own Consulting firm since 2011. He has experience working in both elementary school education as well as higher education as an instructor and served as Assistant Headmaster from 2006-2009. Dr. Carter was integral in the creation and execution of the nation’s first ever statewide deployment of a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System, assisting Kentucky State Police in training over 800 personnel.
Throughout his history in Emergency Services, Dr. Carter has been instrumental in multiple CAD implementation projects, several telephony system upgrades, and numerous technology assessments and improvements. Dr. Carter’s strengths lie in his ability to effectively engage with stakeholders, improve staff morale, and increase team productivity. Dr. Carter is a self-proclaimed BBQ Pitmaster, loves the Atlanta Falcons, and enjoys being outside.