ABOUT US

P.O. Box 312          Storm Lake, Iowa 50588
Phone: (712) 749-2525  Fax: (712) 749-2557
For Emergencies, Dial 9-1-1

For non-emergency calls, dial (712)749-2525

Since October of 1975 the Buena Vista County Communications Center has been providing fast, effective access to emergency and non-emergency services to the citizens of Buena Vista County. The seven full-time employees handle calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, dispatching assistance to Buena Vista County's 20,000 citizens from the following agencies:

The calls for service that come into the Communications Center are received primarily on five non-emergency phone lines, and six 911 phone lines, including two emergency lines for wireless 911 calls (all telephone lines are recorded). With the implementation of Enhanced 911 in 1992, dispatch personnel have pertinent information immediately upon receiving a 911 call, such as the name of the resident, address, and phone number where the call is coming from and the law enforcement/EMS/fire jurisdiction to be dispatched to the call.

When calls for service are received at the Communications Center, the dispatcher confirms the call information, logs the information into a computerized CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch),and then dispatches that information to the appropriate law enforcement/EMS/fire units on one of approximately ten radio frequencies (all frequencies are recorded). Currently the Communications Center radio console has positions to accommodate three dispatchers per shift.

To assure the highest level of service to the citizens, officers, and emergency personnel of Buena Vista County, the Communications Center personnel dedicate many hours to Continuing Education to maintain the certifications that are required on statewide and nationwide computer systems, to allow access to data bases for driver's licenses, license registrations, criminal histories, and for other pertinent information and administrative uses. Also certifications are maintained by all personnel for CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch), enabling personnel to give scripted medical instructions to callers during medical emergencies.

We appreciate being able to serve the citizens of Buena Vista County, and we thank you for visiting our site to learn more about us.