Ashland and Bayfield Counties Consolidated Dispatch Center

Ashland and Bayfield Counties unveiled their new consolidated 911 dispatch center this week after years of planning and development.

The new Ashland-Bayfield County Emergency Communications Center, which is located in Washburn County, was officially launched on Monday. It features state-of-the-art technology developed by Geographic Information System and dispatch experts. According to a Northern News Now report, plans for the consolidated dispatch center have been considered since 2002 and work on the site officially began about two years ago.

Upon its opening this week, it became the first ever two-county emergency communications center in the state.

Both the Ashland County Board and Bayfield County Board approved the plans for the consolidated call center in February and March of 2022 respectively. After conducting a feasibility study, each found that combining the dispatch services would lead to better services for residents and create a better working environment for dispatch staff.

Law enforcement authorities say the combined emergency communication center will allow for better operational efficiency in the area and is a significant advancement for public safety. It features new call handling and dispatch equipment to allow for more efficient coordination for local agencies. There will also be advanced telecommunicator training to ensure the center meets new industry standards.

Funding for the project came from state and federal grants. Ashland and Bayfield Counties combined to accept over $2 million in state funding through the Wisconsin Public Safety Answering Point Grant Program administered by the Department of Military Affairs Office of Emergency Communications.

According to a social media post from the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, residents in each county will still be able to reach the new communications center at the same non-emergency numbers.