Radio Communications
The IT staff was instrumental in ensuring a fluid transition in the new Public Safety Facility. Much like Radio personnel, IT staff was challenged with tasks long before any staff moved into the building. IT focused on using what current equipment they had and only updating and purchasing new equipment when necessary. This meant planning, building and coordinating new and old systems, switches, servers and hardware in a new environment even before the building was erected.
IT staff was responsible for all security systems on the campus, installing WiFi throughout the building and parking lots, audio/visual capabilities and phone and fax set ups. They also worked alongside Radio Communications staff to build the new dispatch center; ensuring there was no disruption of service to the citizens or deputies.
The practically seamless transition from old to new was not an accident. This was the product of the teams long hours, cooperation, commitment and project management. The team started the project at the direction of Support Service Manager Phil Dold and continued their hard work after Phil's retirement in early 2019; facing new challenges daily and solving emergencies systematically.
Information Technologies
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This year, Radio Communications staff has
worked tirelessly to transition to the new Public
Safety Facility. This included designing and
installing a brand new 911 center.
The new office has been a challenging and very
rewarding project. Radio staff built the new 911
center from the ground up. Starting with a
brand new tower and transmitter room. The
previous dispatch center was nearly 20 years old
and was due a fresh look. Moving the old
equipment to the new building was not an option.
The aging base stations and antennas were
replaced with brand new equipment on the new
80 foot tower next to the building. The new
transmitter room also has a complete back up
of all systems.
The new 911 center was built to include 8 working
stations and two training stations. To prepare
for any emergency, two additional fully-
functioning work stations are being built off-site. Also in progress is a new communications
trailer with four radio consoles. All radio
systems, 911 functions, jail communications,
communications trailer and the EOC will be
networked together so we can operate fully
from any location in any emergency.
The new campus also includes a new shop,
centrally located for easy access to all fleet
vehicles when work is needed. This will assist with
keep vehicles in service with little or no down
time.
This next year will be focused on finishing the
new office and spending time working on the
repeater network. The goal is to set the system
up to be standalone without grid power for 120
hours. This will include installing large battery
banks and five new generators throughout the
county. These independent power supplies will
make it easier for our staff to ensure service to
the community is never disrupted due to a
disrupt in electrical services.