Sheriff's Office shares info with public

[Editor’s note: This is part two of a series by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.]

I have been doing a few short news releases on our Sheriff’s Office operations. Last week we profiled our jail and mandated duties as it pertains to our responsibility and care and custody of inmates. This week our 9-1-1 coordinator Jo Borden is providing some questions and answers that we often hear as it pertains to our Dispatch Center duties. We have put together some questions and answers that may assist those who use our services and the reasons why certain questions are asked. In addition we have provided some interesting facts and statistical data. I am proud of our Corrections/Dispatch team and recognize the vital role they play in our public safety duties.

911 Coordinator

Jo Borden answers your dispatch questions

When I dial 911 in Lincoln County, who answers?

The Lincoln County Dispatch Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have a staff of nine dispatch/corrections deputies and two supervisors, with a minimum of two on each shift, which includes nights, weekends and holidays.

What information will I be asked when I call 9-1-1?

When your call is connected, you will hear the dispatcher answer the call with “Lincoln County 9-1-1. What is the location of your emergency?” Your location is important, so you should be prepared to know where you are. Know your address, and, if you are traveling, know your direction of travel, name of the road you are on and an approximate mile marker or cross road. If we can’t find you, we can’t help you.

Doesn’t your computer show my location, like I see on TV?

We live in a very rural area, and sometimes that information is not available. Often times we only get the nearest cell tower you are calling from, and sometimes we don’t get information to pinpoint your location at all. Be prepared to give your location.

How many calls does the Sheriff’s Office receive?

In 2019, Lincoln County dispatch answered 4,405 emergency 911 calls, 20,387 administrative calls and made approximately 9,884 outgoing calls from dispatch.

What type of calls are typically received by Lincoln County dispatch?

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office receives all wireline and wireless calls made within Lincoln County. Calls range from reporting cows in the roadway, requests for civil standbys, reported burglaries, traffic collisions, juvenile problems, domestic violence offenses, reported DUIs, weapons offenses, and fire and medical requests. Dispatchers are certified in first aid and are trained to instruct callers through CPR, child birth and choking over the phone when needed. They also offer instruction to victims while waiting for law enforcement to arrive on scene. They assist with scene safety prior to arrival of resources and relay all information to responding deputies. Some calls are highly stressful, yet our dispatchers remain the calm voice on the other end of the line.

Cool dispatch staff stats

Our staff of 12 shares over 115 years of combined Dispatch/Corrections experience. In fact, eight of us have worked together for seven years or more, and six of us have worked together for over 13 years! Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is proud of this group, and when you call 9-1-1 in Lincoln County you are going to get a highly skilled professional, who provides an exceptional service for the citizens of Lincoln County.