Enhanced 9-1-1 Emergency Call Taking
When someone in Warren County dials 9-1-1, their name, telephone number, and address is displayed on an ANI/ALI screen for the call-taker. Also displayed on this screen is the police, fire, and Emergency Medical (ambulance) agency that serves that address. The call-taker will answer the phone by saying "9-1-1, What is your emergency". He/she will also request your name and verify your address and telephone number. Remember, 9-1-1 is for emergency situations only - those that represent an immediate threat to life or property, such as an crime in progress, a fire, or a medical emergency. Do not call 9-1-1 for non-emergency requests, such as weather conditions, requesting directions to a location, or general information.

Non-Emergency Call-Taking
The police departments in Warren County maintain 7-digit non-emergency numbers for routine requests and information. This includes requesting an accident report, directions to the police station, and other general non-emergency requests. The call-taker will answer these lines with the phrase "Warren County Communications" and will probably ask you which police department you wanted to reach. You may be provided an "inside" number which rings directly inside the police department if your request does not need immediate attention from an officer. Most police departments have a telephone answering machine on these inside numbers when the telephones are not staffed at police headquarters.

Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Dispatching
Our dispatchers are in constant radio contact with police officers on the road or at headquarters. Warren County's Fire and EMS agencies are all volunteer, and are dispatched via electronic pagers from the center. Radio towers are located in Harmony, Mansfield, and Blairstown to provide radio coverage to these agencies.

Computer-Aided Dispatching (CAD)
Computer technology is used heavily in our state of the art communications center. A computer software program is used to record requests for services and the response of emergency units. The program also provides addressing and cross street information and can be used to flag special information at any address, such as special hazards, individuals needing special care (like a person on a heart monitor), special directions to a location, and which emergency services agencies cover that location. The software is supplied by a company named Queues-Enforth Development.

Mobile Data Terminal Services
Several police officers in the county now make use of laptop computers which are used directly in the vehicles. These are known as "MDTs", or Mobile Data Terminals. They allow the officers to communicate from car to car, run motor vehicle and driver's license queries, and checks for stolen or wanted vehicles or persons. This is done using the Aether Systems PacketCluster Patrol system and helps increase officer safety.

National Weather Alert System (NAWAS)
The center maintains dedicated national and statewide telephone links to the National Weather Service for immediate notification of severe weather conditions. This helps us get the "jump" on conditions that may jeopardize the well-being of our county residents, such as tornados, electrical storms, hazardous snow conditions, high winds, etc.

DAM Safety Hotlines
Dedicated emergency telephone links are maintained to the Merrill Creek Reservour in Harmony Township and the Yards Creek Reservour in Blairstown. This systems will provide us advanced notification in the event of a dam warning, alert, or safety condition.

Recording Systems
All emergency and non-emergency telephones and all primary dispatch radio channels are recorded. Recordings are kept for a period of 30 days. Call-takers are also able to immediately play back any telephone conversations they have had to clarify information provided by a caller.

Alarm Monitoring
The communications center provides free alarm monitoring service to all governmental buildings, fire departments, EMS stations, schools, libraries, and related buildings. Alarm services are not provided to private businesses or residences that were not originally monitored directly by the police departments that used to maintain regional dispatch centers in the county.

Backup Electrical Power Systems
The communications center building and all remote tower sites have adequate backup emergency electrical power generators in case commercial power is lost or interrupted. This is a somewhat frequent occurrance during storms and motor vehicle accidents which damage power lines.