History

Prior to July 1977, each respective public safety agency relied on their own separate communications center. In July 1977, the City of Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County consolidated all public safety communications within Pottawattamie County into a single Public Safety Answering and Dispatch Point (PSAP). This change streamlined communications and provided better 911 services for the citizens of Pottawattamie County.

Communication Center Dispatchers are highly trained and commited professionals whom assists citizens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dispatchers evaluate each call and respond based on available information or refer callers to other departments, agencies, and organizations if nessecary

The responsibilities of the Communications Center are varied, but the major focus is on the following duties:

• Handling calls for service and information from the public, other agencies and users
  
• Classifying, prioritizing, and assigning calls for service to Law, Fire and Medical
  
• Receiving, monitoring and transmitting radio messages
  
• Receiving, monitoring and transmitting radio messages
  
• Maintenance of audio logs of phone calls and radio communications

The Communications Center continues in striving to better services provided to the community. Comments, questions and concerns are always welcome.

How It Works

When you dial 911:
When you dial 911 from your home or business in Pottawattamie County, all calls go to one central public safety answering point equipped to send Law Enforcement, Fire and Emergency Medical Services to the location you need them.

In most cases, the Enhanced 911 system provides the 911 Calltaker information, to include residence or business name, address and telephone number of the origin of the call. The 911 Calltaker asks specific questions to clarify the nature and location of your situation. This information is relayed to enable the emergency responder to provide the best quality assistance while helping to ensure both responder safety and caller safety until emergency personnel arrive on location.

What is the major benefit of the 9-1-1 System?:
The time saved by the use of an easy to remember, common number is the major benefit. Also, in most cases, Enhanced 911 receives the home number and location from which a call is placed, saving valuable time crucial to successful emergency service response.

• When Should I Call 9-1-1?:
  
• To Stop A Crime
  
• Report A Fire
  
• Save A Life
  
• Anytime an emergency response
  
• is required by Law Enforcement, Fire or Emergency Medical Personnel