Unmanned communications station in the call center

Welcome to the Berkeley County Communications Department

Roxanne Wiley, Deputy Director

Mission statement
To provide rapid and reliable communications in support of Berkeley County Emergency Services. To act as a vital and critical link between our public safety agencies and the citizens they protect and serve.

The Communications Department of Berkeley County is the primary contact for the citizens who need emergency and non-emergency assistance from law enforcement, Fire and EMS. The personnel in this department are vital to the mission of the agency because they are responsible for accurately receiving and disseminating information to and from responding units in a timely manner. The processing, prioritizing, dispatching and tracking of information is achieved by using a variety of computerized communication equipment.

The Berkeley County Communications Department responsibilities include:

• Providing public safety assistance to the citizens of Berkeley County
• Answering and/or transferring non-emergent and 911 calls
• Providing help and/or pre-arrival instructions to the callers
• Inputting all received information into a CAD (computer aided dispatch) system
• Dispatching appropriate police, fire or EMS units to the calls, tracking their response, and logging all pertinent information, activity and/or requests generated throughout the calls by the units
• Work with other departments or specialized units such as, SRT, SET, Boat Patrol, EPD, Meducare, Hazmat, K-9, Rescue Squad, Coroner, Forestry, etc.

Qualifications of Personnel

Multitasking capabilities, good listening/communication skills and the ability to remain calm during stressful situations are essential criteria for dispatchers, as they must deal courteously, tactfully, and effectively with the public in all circumstances. Dispatchers work rotating shifts and must successfully complete telephone and radio training along with additional certifications as mandated by law.