The Washington County Communications Center is a 24 hour a day, 365 day a year operation providing emergency services to Washington County, Iowa population 20,670.

The communictations center received a major upgrade in June of 2001. Please visit the 911/Dispatch Upgrade page for details.

The communications center is located at 221 West 2nd St., Washington, Iowa 52353. Telecommunicators answer emergency 911 calls as well as routine calls for service. They dispatch for the Washington Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and Washington County Ambulance Service. Telecommunicators are also responsible for paging seven fire departments (Washington, Ainsworth, Brighton, Crawfordsville, Kalona, Wellman, and Riverside) and seven first responder units (West Chester, Ainsworth, Brighton, Crawfordsville, Kalona, Wellman, and Riverside.)

It is a difficult but rewarding career choice and the Telecommunicators must complete a great deal of training both on the job and from outside sources. The communications center currently employs nine full time and two part time operators.

The current staff has 102 years of combined experience. Cara Sorrells is the 911 Supervisor, Teresa Todd is the Assistant Supervisor and Sandy Lovetinsky, Shelley Reed-Wulf, Melanie Huschka, Mandy Rourke, Jessica Jackson, Joni Huisenga, and Kristin Burton are full time operators. Jamie Mayer and Michael Powers are part time operators.

The Communications Center is governed by the Communications Commission which is comprised of two members of the Board of Supervisors, two members of the Washington City Council, and two Mayors of Washington County contract communities. Current Commission members include Wes Rich and Adam Mangold from the Board of Supervisors, Robert Shepherd and Merle Hagie of the Washington City Council, Mayor Brenda Carey of West Chester, and Mayor Ryan Miller of Wellman. Washington County Sheriff Jerry Dunbar serves as the Communications Officer and oversees the day to day operations of the Communications Center.

Training includes three months of on the job experience, 24 hours of EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch) training from the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch, 40 hours of Telecommunicator training from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, CPR certification from the Red Cross, computer certification on the Iowa/NCIC system, and notary status. All operators must have continuing education hours to keep their certifications.

One call for service may be a barking dog or an improperly parked vehicle, and the next an infant choking or a person in respiratory distress. All operators are trained so that they may be able to give the appropriate pre-arrival instructions to the caller and initiate the Heimlich maneuver or CPR. Aside from training in emergency medical dispatch, extensive training is provided in preparedness for severe weather.

In May of 1998 a tornado ripped through downtown Washington, Iowa. It was a scenario that all of us were trained in, but never thought would actually occur. Luckily there was no loss of life, just major structural damage and chaos. Again in June of 1998 a windstorm struck Washington County causing even more damage on a more widespread level. During the peak storm season it is not out of the ordinary  to have the communications center in a “Severe Thunderstorm” or “Tornado Watch” stage 1-3 times weekly. This includes notifying all of the schools, nursing homes, and local media of the impending weather as well as calling out the“weather spotters”.

There are many aspects of the job that can be both discouraging and rewarding. No two days and no two calls are ever alike. Even in Southeast Iowa Telecommunicators take high stress calls every day relating to homicides, suicide, abuse and domestic violence. It takes patience and understanding. It takes the skill of listening and remaining calm under pressure. All of the operators come from different areas and different backgrounds. All are trained to help you when you need assistance and to do it with a smile. If you would like more information on a career in law enforcement communications or a tour of the communications center, please feel free to give us a call.