The Communications Division is under the command of Captain Donna Roguska and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days weeks. The staff is comprised of our E-911 Coordinator Janet Hamilton, 4 shift supervisors and an allotment of 32 communications operator.

We are the primary Communications Center for 911, Law Enforcement, Charlotte Fire/EMS and Palm Island Fire. The Center also receives both emergency and non-emergency cellular calls. During a natural disaster or emergency we serve as the point of contact for various County, State and Federal Agencies.

Our professional in-house training program meets APCO Standards in Call Taking and Law Enforcement Dispatch. Additionally, all Operators are trained in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD). EMD allows us to intervene and assist our callers with predetermined medical instructions. During those critical minutes before a responder arrives on scene, we have aided callers in births, drownings, chokings, cardiac arrests etc. and have made the difference between life and death. Fire/EMS operators are trained in-house as needed.

Training is also provided on TDD to meet the needs of the deaf/hearing impaired citizens. All of our phone equipment will automatically detect when a call is being placed from a TDD machine. To further meet the needs of our diversified community we also train and utilize a Language Line when speaking with non-English speaking individuals.

Many of our calls require the use of a teletype which provides a direct link to both the Florida and National Crime Information Center. At the request of a Deputy we can access/enter various information such as missing/wanted persons, vehicles tags and registration, criminal histories, and guns. The teletype also provides another means of communications with various agencies through out the country and worldwide.

Radios are our primary source of communications when dispatching calls, relaying updates and receiving/responding to requests generated by both Law Enforcement and Fire/EMS. Our radios are capable with direct communications to outside agencies when joint operations are undertaken. . The Sheriff's Office also uses laptops in the vehicles to aid in Communications. Calls for service can be reviewed by the road units and information can be exchanged without voice communications.

Division personnel are also active with Community Involvement. We visit libraries, schools, service organizations and public expos. Discussions range from when to call 911, the use of a TDD, EMD and a review of typical questions we will ask when you call.