The department is equipped with state of the art computer aided dispatch and records management systems. Communications Officers receive requests for service via regular telephone lines, multiple 911 lines, radio, TTY, and "walk-ins". These calls are entered into a Computer Aided Dispatch system and then dispatched to Police, Fire, EMS, or a combination of all three. The Communications Officer remains an integral part of each and every call from the time it's received until the time the last unit(s) clear. These individuals are truly the "lifelines", not only for emergency personnel in the field but also for the public.

In any given day our center receives a variety of calls from simple public service requests, to violent crimes, to fires, to medical emergencies. Our Communications Officers, through advanced training and years of experience, are ready to handle any type of call. Our dispatchers are trained in emergency medical dispatch and often provide life-saving pre-arrival instructions to those in need. They are also trained in police and fire dispatch techniques. Unfortunately, many times the role of the Communications Officer is not fully recognized, but here we realize these individuals are the lifelines, and they in many cases can make all the difference in the world in life and death situations. They also can "make or break" a criminal case in that they are the first officials to be notified and their information gathering abilities can be paramount.

• When to call 911 - a guide for calling 911 in medical emergencies, this is a great site to help you decide if you need emergency help. Of course, if in doubt and it's a potentially life threatening situation DON'T DELAY, DIAL 911!

The career of Communications Officer is one of the most stressful jobs out there, but at the same time it is one of the most rewarding. These individuals really do make a difference, every day. The public can rest easy knowing help is only a phone call, and a highly trained and dedicated Communications Officer, away.