The Communications Center,
often referred to as "County Dispatch," is staffed with nine full-time and six
part-time dispatchers and a supervisor. They are responsible for answering
emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency phones, assigning calls to deputies officers,
and contacting coordinating emergency medical and fire services to emergency
incidents. In 2005, the dispatch center handled a total of 8,000 calls for
service. 
Two Dispatchers are assigned to
work around the clock 24 hours a day 7 days a week to provide communication
between the citizens of Archuleta County and the deputies and ambulances working
the streets.
It is the job of the Dispatcher
to answer all 911 calls, most of the non emergency and business calls, operate
and monitor multiple radio channels, dispatch sheriff deputies and ambulances by
radio and telephone, and perform records tasks and warrants checks. Frequently a
dispatcher is required to perform all of these tasks at once.
Using a Computer Aided Dispatch
(CAD) system, radios, sophisticated telephone services, and utilizing all
possible resources available, the Communications Center does its very best to be
sure that the citizens receive the services they require.
When
to call 911
You should only call 911
when you are reporting an emergency. An emergency is a situation that threatens
human life or property, and demands immediate attention. Only crimes in
progress, medical emergencies, or incidents that have, or will result in,
serious injury or property damage should be reported by calling 911. "DO NOT CALL
911 for NON-EMERGENCIES; this causes delays in the handling of true emergencies".
Some examples of incidents
that should be reported by calling 911:
- Medical
emergencies
- In progress
verbal or physical fights
- Sexual
assaults
- Burglaries and
robberies in progress, or that just occurred.
- Domestic
violence or child abuse in progress, or that just occurred.
- Vehicle
accidents with injuries
- Driving under
the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications.
- Suspicious
circumstances that could pose a threat to people or property.
- Fires or
explosions
To provide you with the best of
service and care, there are a few things to expect when calling 911. It is
important to try and remain calm while the Dispatcher asks a series of important
questions to best ascertain what is happening. The Dispatcher understands that
you have an emergency and that you need help, but you need to provide the
answers to the Dispatcher's questions so that you receive the appropriate
assistance, and to assure the safety of everybody responding.
An important thing to remember
is that while you are on the phone with one Dispatcher, their partner is sending
help your way. Help will be on the way before you hang up the phone.
QUESTIONS TO EXPECT WHEN YOU
CALL 911
- WHERE- Where
are you?
- WHAT- What is
your phone number? What is happening?
- WHEN- When did
it happen?
- WHO- Who is
involved?
- WHY- Why did
this happen? What provoked the incident?
- WEAPONS- Are
there any weapons involved?
If you are reporting a crime
and can see, or if you saw, a suspect, the Dispatcher will need a description of
the suspect including: sex, race, age, height, weight or body type, hair color,
eye color, and a clothing description. If the suspect has a vehicle the
Dispatcher will need a description of it as well, including: the color, make,
model, style, and any feature that makes it stand out. (example large stickers,
loud exhaust, dents etc.) If the suspect leaves the scene of the crime, on foot
or in a vehicle, the Dispatcher will need to know which way the suspect went so
that the Deputy knows where to look for the suspect.
When reporting a medical
emergency, please remember two very important points. First, all Archuleta
County Dispatchers are Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certified and are
capable of providing you with appropriate instructions to help the sick or
injured person until medical personnel arrives. In order for the Dispatcher to
provide you with appropriate medical instructions, they will ask you a series of
questions that you need to answer to the best of your ability. Second, when the
Dispatcher is asking you these questions, their partner is notifying medical
personnel of your emergency and they will be on their way to your location
before you hang up the phone.
REPORTING NON-EMERGENCIES
The Archuleta County
Sheriff's Department 24 hour number for non-emergency calls is (970) 264-2131.
The Deputy's response time to non-emergency calls depends on the seriousness of
the incident reported and how many emergency and non-emergency calls in your
area came in before your call.
Some examples of
non-emergency calls are:
- Burglaries
that are not in progress or that occurred some time ago and the suspect is no
longer at the scene of the crime.
- Stolen checks,
credit cards, or identity theft.
- Vandalism to
property
- Loud parties
or music
- Past incidents
of child abuse, domestic abuse, or fights
- Runaway
juveniles or missing adults that are not believed to be in immediate danger
- Car or
building alarms
- Loitering or disturbing
the peace.
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