Jun 16, 2011

New 911 dispatcher training tool

911 Emergency Dispatchers, and those who may want to be, now have a tool at Central Lakes College unavailable at any other college campus in Minnesota. An interactive web-based emergency simulator system has been installed thanks to a grant for about $40,000 worth of equipment -- four stations with TTY capability. Training began today (June 16) for Crow Wing County Sheriff's dispatchers Todd Johnson and Shari Turcotte, as well as Scott Heide, supervisor of the Public Safety Answering Point. Trainers Al (pictured) and Holly Rossner of SAVE Corp., the simulator supplier, also are teaching Gae Davis of the Central Lakes College Criminal Justice faculty. Future use of the new technology includes course work offered to CLC students plus customized training of law enforcement and other emergency dispatchers from anywhere in the state as seminars are scheduled for the hands-on, realistic simulation.