• FURNITURE UPGRADES: We installed eight new Watson Mercury dispatch workstations, these workstations allow the Operators to easily transition from sitting to standing, the monitors height power adjusts to support optimal visual acuity, the worksurface moves in and out providing one-touch focal depth adjustment, they also include LED reading, ambient lighting and ceiling track lighting along with low-voltage cooling fans and forced air heating to give the operators a totally ergonomic work environment. 

• RADIO SYSTEM UPGRADES: The current Motorola 800Mhz APCO 25 phase two "TDMA"  radio system was expanded from a 5 site simulcast radio sytem to a 6  site simulcast system expanding the radio coverage in the Southeast portion of Woodbury County. This system was also connected to the Iowa Statewide Interoperability Communications System, "ISICS"., giving our radio console a wireline connection the multiple Motorola ISICS system Cores. Being connected to the ISICS cores allows the operators to have priority communications over the radio system and access to regional and statewide interoperability talk groups. 

• TEXT TO 911:  We worked together with a bordering 911 center in Dakota County, Nebraska and publicized the availability of text to 911.  Working together allowed us to share a common message and we were successful in having local media coverage and getting the message out of "call when you can, text when you can't". 

• GIS MAPPING: The State of Iowa requires each County in Iowa to have a Next Generation 911 GIS data accuracy of 98% or higher on all data layers along with a ALI synchronization to the GIS Road Centerline accuracy rate of 95% or higher, our County has fulfilled these requirements.

• CALEA:  Continue to make CALEA Accreditation and best practices part of daily operations so our agency is continually and systematically reviewing itself for continual improvement.  We now fall into a 4-year cycle where we will be evaluated annually using an online system of review.

• STAFFING:  We were successful during the budgeting process to gain the support of our city and county leaders and elected officials and were able to add an additional full time Communications Operator to our staff.

• TRAINING: Western Iowa Tech Community College has a scholarship fund that has funds available for dispatcher training.  We need to work with the college to identify and schedule training that both our staff and other dispatchers in the area would benefit from.  It is a great opportunity to host training at our center with reduced costs and no travel expenses for our staff.  It is also an opportunity for those to attend who do not choose to travel out of town overnight for other training.

• NEXT GENERATION 911 SYSTEM UPGRADES: In August of 2019 the State of Iowa received a grant to modernize the States 911 network. The initial project will move wireline 911 calls to the current wireless network.  Beyond that it will eventually roll out upgrades that will enable 911 answering points to accept picture and video messages.  We will work with the State of Iowa so tha we continue to be on the leading edge of technology and able to offer these services to our community.

• CALEA ACCREDITATION: Continue to make CALEA accreditation best practices part of daily operations so our agency is continually and systematically reviewing and assessing its operations and procedures in the pursuit of professional excellence.  

• CAD/Records Management System:  We are exploring looking at new/different CAD/Records Management systems along with user agencies that participate in our reporting system.  When the time comes to make decision, we will include dispatch staff in that process.

Woodbury County Communication Center improves 911 communications and emergency response through various funding projects.

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