2007 ANNUAL REPORT Part 1.cdr - Kootenai County Sheriff Office

COMMUNICATIONS BUREAU
In the first quarter of the year the Board of County Commissioners
approved the installation of the Positron Viper Telephone System, a
computer based 911 package. This system brought new technology
to Kootenai County dispatchers with the use of Internet Protocol (IP)
and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to provide real time location of
cell phone callers through electronic mapping.
The second quarter brought an end to mandatory 12 hour shifts and
overtime, caused by staff shortages. A significant salary increase
targeted towards all employees with more than five years experience
stabilized the personnel situation and allowed training to be
completed on the new telephone system. Simultaneously, the
department sent four dispatchers to Peace Officer Standards and
Training (POST) basic training in Meridian. This was the first group
of new dispatchers to attend POST in 18 months.
Page 28
Director Brad Coughenour
The State Interoperability Executive Council (SIEC) accepted our Communications Plan for
implementing the new 700 MHz radio equipment, mandated by Federal Communications
Commission requirements for replacement of our existing UHF/VHF radio system by the end of
2012. Preliminary testing of 700 MHz equipment was completed by all agencies with favorable
results.
The summer focused on two objectives: the significant increase in calls to 911 during the tourist
season and the cutover to the new Positron Viper Telephone System, which was completed
without disruption of service. Late in the quarter the Kootenai County 911 Center began
dispatching for the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Police. With excellent coordination with the Tribal Police,
the transition was seamless.
The final months of 2007 culminated with the granting of $2.2 million through the State of Idaho
State Interoperability Executive Council (SIEC). This grant will assist in the significant capital
requirements to transition to the 700 MHz radio system. In addition, the Bureau of Homeland
Security released $350 thousand from 2005 grants which the county was able to utilize for
infrastructure expenses.
Although staff shortages still exist, the Communications Bureau is moving forward and is
retaining qualified personnel. Training will continue to be a priority and remain the cornerstone of
the organization. The training team, led by Carol Brown, defined training standards for new
dispatchers through supervisory personnel.
In conclusion, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department Communications Bureau was
successful in accomplishing the department's primary objectives for 2007. These objectives
supported the mission of the county and Sheriff's Department by increasing the level of
communications service to the 14 public safety agencies we serve, as well as the residents of and
visitors to Kootenai County.
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department Annual Report