They are the lifeline in emergencies

The Kosciusko 911 Communication Center is the lifeline for officers throughout the county and for residents in need of emergency services. Its services are available 24/7 and it never shuts down due to vacations or holidays.

Tami Brooks, with 12 years experience, and Director Amanda See with eight years explained the operations of this essential department.

“We don’t get animals out of trees or report power outages,” said Brooks, noting these are some of the common calls they receive.

The communication center handles all emergency and nonemergency calls for the entire county. This includes the sheriff’s office, Claypool, Mentone, Milford, North Webster, Pierceton, Silver Lake and Syracuse, plus 14 fire departments and three ambulance services.

When an emergency call comes through, the callers are asked a number of questions. Both

See and Brooks noted often callers tell them it is none of their business, or question why such questions are being asked.

The questions a 911 caller is asked are answers a dispatcher needs to know to send the correct emergency agency and what equipment may be needed. “Think of it as safety of the responders as well as getting the right equipment to provide the best services,” said See.

Not just anyone can be a dispatcher. It takes special people to do the job, according to See and Brooks. “Your worst day is ours everyday,” stated Brooks.Dispatchers undergo a four-month training and each week during that training, potential dispatchers are tested on various areas, including police codes and signals. Each dispatcher has completed the course and has received 40 hours of public telecommunication; IDAC training to do online system searches on warrants; and vehicle registration and driver license checks when and if requested by an officer. Each one is also an Emergency Medical Dispatcher and CPR certified.

The dispatchers not only handle emergency calls; they are an officer’s lifeline. They can provide additional information to an officer through a system called CAD, that the officer may need to know for their safety or to assist on the call.

Currently there are 17 full-time and two part-time dispatchers. Five recently underwent training and were certified by June. Each shift is staffed by a minimum of three people.

These dispatchers handle 140,000 to 160,000 calls a year. Just last year there were over 111,000 calls for service. The local communications center is also the backup center for surrounding counties on 911 calls, including Elkhart and Marshall counties.

The calls they handle can range from general information calls, such as when a community parade will be or when fireworks will be held in a specific community, to a major incident such as a fire or accident. “They must also be aware of the resources being used on a call and what is available,” stated See.

See noted the center now can handle text 911 calls from those in need who cannot physically talk. She shared that eventually they will be able to handle video calls, where a link will be sent for the caller to use. However, she stressed the video calls will only last while connected to the communications center.

Dispatcher Tina Cook stands at her station in the Kosciusko County Communication Center, which has the top-of-the-line system and everything state officials have. Brand new radio equipment was added within the last year, including new desks that allow dispatchers to stand, often beneficial on stressful calls. Photo provided.

Both Brooks and See shared 911 calls are often received from disconnected cell phones. “The phone can still call 911, so don’t let your children play with those phones,” See said. “We can’t call back and it takes time to check the calls.”

Additionally, Apple or iPhones are known to dial 911 when the phone has been placed in cupholders or the emergency feature is accidentally activated. In all cases when a 911 call is received and no one is there to speak with the dispatcher, contact with the caller is attempted.

Sheriff Administration

Administration

43-1 Sheriff Jim Smith

43-2 Chief Deputy Chris McKeand

Sheriff Department Matron

Michelle Hyden

Jail Commander

43-32 Lieutenant Kevin Gelbaugh

Director of Work Release

Sergeant Jerrad Jones

Work Release

Administration

Director Jerrad Jones

Assistant Director Josh Gonzalez

Assistant Director Tammy Rockey

Day Shift

Eugene(Ed) Brown

Chas Demster

Tom Balazs

Nicole Bohnke

Jcap

Director Casey Trombley

Public Information Officer

43-28 Sergeant Doug Light

Training Division

43-34 Sergeant Travis Shively

Patrol Division Commander

43-36 Lieutenant Mike Mulligan

Investigations Commander

Lieutenant Josh Spangle

Britnee Sheetz

Lisa Holderman - Cook

Night Shift

Von Frieden

Tahya Lybarger

Dave Strombeck

Eric Lindsey

Jarrod Landry

Jerry Tondini