Stutsman County Communications Center traffic down in 2020
Statistics indicate the number of calls for service to first responders in the county were down nearly 2,000 from the previous year. Written By: Keith Norman | ×
The Stutsman County Communications Center saw less calls last year possibly due to the coronavirus pandemic. Keith Norman / The Sun
The number of calls for service dispatched by the Stutsman County Communications Center continued a downward trend, according to Jerry Bergquist, emergency manager and 911 coordinator for the county.
Statistics for 2020 indicate 26,521 calls for service compared to 28,318 for 2019 and 30,241 in 2018.
A call for service is recorded any time the communications center sends a first responder to an event or situation.
Submitted by Kimberly Robbins, LaMoure County Emergency Manager/9-1-1 Coordinator
JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota 9-1-1 Association recognized Jerry Bergquist at their quarterly meeting in Bismarck for his over 27 years of leadership and representation.
Mr. Bergquist, the Stutsman County Communications Center administrator, 9-1-1 coordinator, and emergency manager of Stutsman County, is retiring from his current positions in April.
When the State of North Dakota was only beginning to recognize the three digits of 9-1-1, Jerry Bergquist was active in forming the North Dakota 9-1-1 Association to enhance, improve, promote and facilitate the North Dakota Emergency 911 system. He was elected President of the North Dakota 911 Association in October 1993 at the association’s organizational meeting. Through his time with Emergency 9-1-1, North Dakota residents have seen the transition from being able to dial 9-1-1 from their landline phone, to utilizing the firs
The Communications Support position would remain unfilled once the current staff retires July 2nd. Larson says they would need to hire two new communications specialist in order to fully incorporate the plan.
Larson says the county could look to have the funds for two specialist positions in 2022. For now, they would hire a Communications Specialist immediately and look to hire another specialist in 2022.
Chairman Mark Klose stated the added depth would be good for the communications center.
The commission unanimously agreed to reorganize the communications center.
Other items discussed by the county included a parking space for Youthworks, awarding the motor grader bid and advertisement for chip sealing, and budget adjustments.