PACCOM's Judy Indermark received APCO's award for Telecommunicator of the Year for Exemplary Handling of a Critical Situation. This award recognizes the Telecommunicator who handled a critical incident in an exemplary manner that positively affected its outcome.

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Pacific County Communications (PACCOM)

PACCOM is a division of the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office and is responsible for providing and maintaining the Pacific County Communications Center that serves as the primary answering point for all 911 calls placed in Pacific County.

PACCOM’s first priority is to receive 911 calls and dispatch the appropriate law, fire and medical services. PACCOM also handles non-emergency public safety requests for service.

Mission Statement
 
The Pacific County 911 Communications Center is committed to the enhancement of public safety within our community by providing immediate access to emergency services and by facilitating appropriate agency response with clarity, courage, and commitment, utilizing all possible resources while remaining cognizant of community values, customer focus, and fiscal responsibility.

This agency will carry out all tasks with an eye towards the future.  We will strive to make innovation, cost effectiveness and cooperation our standard.

Department Goals

1.  Provide the most effective emergency communications possible for the citizens and visitors of Pacific County.

2.  Provide public safety field personnel professional communication services with emphasis on safety, accuracy and cooperation.

3.  Provide good jobs to competent people.

4.  Implement wireless location 911 capability.

5.  Maintain professional standards.

6.  Assist other County departments and outside agencies whenever possible.

7.  Be open and innovative.

COMMUNICATION CENTER SERVICES

Enhanced 911(E911) Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for All 911 Calls Placed in Pacific County

Consolidated Dispatch Center for All Police, Fire & Emergency Medical Aid Calls in Pacific County

PACCOM receives calls on 911 and administrative lines for:

5 Law Enforcement Agencies (Including the Sheriff’s Office and the Shoalwater Tribal Police)
12 Fire Departments
1 Private Ambulance Company
Other Agencies Whose Traffic is Monitored at the Center include Washington State Patrol, Pacific County Dept. of Public Works, Pacific County Jail, and the National Warning System

PACIFIC COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS STAFF:

11 employees all of whom have earned their Telecommunicator I and II State Certification. 

All staff with telecommunications responsibilities has also been trained in Emergency Medical Dispatch in order to better serve the citizens and medical aid responders of Pacific County.

PREVENT ACCIDENTAL WIRELESS 9-1-1 CALLS 

Each month, over 200 Wireless 911 calls for service are received by Pacific County Communications. “Cell phones” have proven to be an invaluable tool for help when an emergency arises. Quick access to 911 services is one of the most common reasons why people choose to purchase a wireless phone.

This service, while crucial, has created a growing problem within the E911 community.  Wireless phones can easily dial 911 on their own, without the phone’s owner being aware that the 911 call has been made.

It’s estimated that accidental dialing causes over 30% of the wireless 911 calls in Pacific County. Accidental 911 calls are made when the phone is put in a pocket or purse, and gets bumped.  Some adults give old wireless phones to children as toys.  Phones with no wireless service can still dial 911, and 911 calls from children playing with a phone are not uncommon.

Pacific County Communications is asking for the public’s help in reducing the number of accidental 911 calls from wireless phones. Each person who owns a wireless phone can do their part to help solve this problem by following 3 easy steps.

1. LOCK your keypad
2. TURN OFF the 911 auto dial feature (not all wireless phones have this feature)
3. DO NOT program 911 into the speed dial

(Wireless phone users are encouraged to consult their phone’s manual or contact their carrier for assistance in performing these steps on their phone.)

Accidental 911 calls tie up the phone lines in the wireless carrier’s networks in the 911 system, which could block real emergency calls from getting through. Accidental calls also tie up the 911 call takers, so they are not available to answer other 911 calls.

Preventing accidental 911 calls will be even more critical when our 911 Center implements FCC Phase 2 wireless service, and is able to determine the location of the caller.  With location information available a law enforcement officer will be sent to find the caller.  Early 2004 is the target for the FCC Phase 2 feature.

E911 Things to Remember

When you call 911, it can take 7 seconds or more for the call to be processed through the complex 911 switches when placing a call from Pacific County. Even if you don’t hear the phone ring immediately after dialing 911, STAY ON THE LINE. DO NOT HANG UP. If you are calling from a phone which routes through a PBX, that may add several more seconds.

In the event of a severe earthquake or major natural disaster, the 911 circuits may become overloaded. Be sure to have the local seven-digit number of the Communications Center (875-9397 or 642-9397) and the phone numbers and addresses of your local police and fire departments handy.

Pacific County Communications provides public education materials and speakers to schools, service clubs, etc. Please call the administrative office at 360-875-9340 and ask for the coordinator.

E911/Communications Goal

To provide professional and efficient public safety communications services to all people in a courteous and timely manner through team effort.

Additional Information

Please use the non-emergency telephone numbers when reporting incidents which are not in progress.