Division :: 911 Communications Center
Description:
The Wasco County Sheriff operates the 911 Communications Center for all of Wasco County. The Communications Center is known as a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) and receives all 9-1-1 calls from within Wasco County except for that portion of the county on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. The Center also receives business calls for several emergency response agencies after normal business hours.
Once a 9-1-1 call, or other call for service, is received the appropriate agency is dispatched. Dispatchers must then follow the call through to completion. This may entail a request for additional equipment or manpower in the case of a fire, or completing driver's license inquiries for law enforcement. A crucial part of the job is accurate documentation of all communications, telephone and radio, that go through the center.
Newly hired dispatchers must attend a two week Basic Telecommunicator Class at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Academy in Salem. Additional training is required in the field of Emergency Medical Dispatch. Annual refresher training is also mandated. In addition to the classroom training, new dispatchers must complete on-the-job training with an experienced dispatcher. This usually takes about four months.
The Communications Center is staffed by nine full time dispatchers, two part time dispatchers and the Communications Center Manager Jeanne Pesicka.
Please reserve 9-1-1 calls for EMERGENCIES so that people with real EMERGENCIES will be able to get through when they need to
9-1-1 FAQ'sWhat is 9-1-1? 9-1-1 is a three-digit telephone number that you can call 24 hours a day for police, fire, or medical emergencies.
Why 9-1-1? It saves valuable time in an EMERGENCY. According to nationwide statistics, it can take up to 2.5 minutes to find your telephone directory and another 30 seconds to locate the correct number. In an EMERGENCY, 3 minutes is a long--- time that can be saved by remembering to call 9-1-1.
How does 9-1-1 work? When you call 9-1-1, your call is received by a trained communications specialist who takes your information. Then the appropriate police, fire and/or medical services team located in your area is notified, and the service is dispatched. Hence the term , "9-1-1 Dispatcher".
When should I use 9-1-1? Call 9-1-1 for police, fire and medical service when an EMERGENCY response is needed.
What type of EMERGENCIES would qualify for an EMERGENCY response?
Any immediate danger to life, limb or property such as:
An injury requiring immediate medical attention
A fire (a structure fire or a large grass fire in the summer)
Any crime in progress
A serious traffic accident
When to call the non emergency numbers.
A crime is not occurring at this time - The Dalles City Police 541-296-2233
A non-emergency ambulance transfer - Wasco County Sheriff 541-296-5454
Nuisance burning - Mid Columbia Fire & Rescue 541-298-4178
Noise - Oregon State Police 541-296-9646
Calls for police and fire information
Information on weather conditions, power outages, directions...
Your neighbor is burning leaves in their backyard
A dog is running loose
The neighbors are playing their music too loud
Call 9-1-1 when:
Your neighbor's house is on fire
A violent dog has attacked a person
The neighbors are playing with guns
A driver is dangerously swerving on the road
When calling 9-1-1:
*state your address
*state which emergency service is needed (fire, police or ambulance)
*give all the information that is requested of you
*speak clearly
*stay on the line until your operator tells you to disconnect
Even if you cannot speak
*stay calm
*after dialing, leave the phone hanging or make some sort of noise so the call taker knows there is an EMERGENCY
*your address will appear on the screen when calling from a "land line" (a hard wired phone in your house or business, not a cell phone or VIOP phone (phone used through your computer/internet)
Dialing on a cellular phone
*If inside the vehicle, pull off to the side of the road
*be aware that cellular calls may not always be routed to the nearest 9-1-1 center
*tell the dispatcher your location, since such phones do not have address information
*look for landmarks
*stay on the phone until the call taker tells you to disconnect
Some helpful tips
*make sure you address is visible on the outside of your house for emergency services to find it
*teach your children about dialing 9-1-1
*Write your address out in large print and keep it near your phone. Even if you know your address perfectly, children, babysitters, or guests may not. Keep the phone at an easy to reach level for kids, like on a coffee table rather than high on a wall
*remember that cordless phones allow mobility
*keep cellular phones locked at all times as the '9' key can be easily accidentally pressed and ring in false calls