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.

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.