Public    Relations

The Warren County 911 Joint Communications Center learned last month it successfully passed a surprise audit conducted by the FBI related to its crime information center.

According to Administrator Carol Sexton, no errors were found and the 911 dispatch center was in compliance for all records checked in a database that can be accessed nationwide. 

The audit was conducted last month from representatives from the FBI, Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.  Auditors pulled numerous files and then checked for accuracy from reports from the sheriffs department.  They also checked the status of warrants that had been processed and still in the record system.  They also checked the status of warrants that had been processed and still in the record system.

Sexton was happy to see the 911 agency received strong reviews for accuracy.  "We're doing our job and according to the FBI, we're doing it pretty well," Sexton said..  "That makes you feel very good."

The audit also covered entries related to files on wanted criminals, missing people, and protection orders.  Most of the data is entered by a clerk at the 911 dispatch center.  Sexton also said the entries are checked and confirmed regularly by dispatchers.

Amy Ellard, assistant administrator, said the various reports are validated three months after the initial entry and then reviewed each year thereafter.  By making sure all the criminal history and personal information is correct, Ellard noted the accuracy eliminates the possibility of and individual with a similar name being wrongly accused of a crime or action they didn't commit.  The database keeps track of an individuals known addresses, aliases, criminal history, tattoos and other body marks.

An official from the FBI auditing team declined to release any information on the audit due to policy.  Ellard noted a file cannot be viewed and corrected without auditors knowing.  "Everything is time stamped and dated to know if we change anything,"Ellard said.  "they area also looking to make sure you're running it for the right reasons."

The extensive auditing process, Sexton said, helps keep track and reduces the chance of personal information being viewed by the public.  For example, the database keeps track of when a 911 operator prints out a copy of a file for another agency.  As part if the audit, officials examined why the information was needed and then checks to see if the agency still has the file.

If an agency does not have a copy of a report, they must be able to prove to auditors that is had been logged and shredded, according to Sexton.  "For every entry that goes in there we have a group in the center that goes over what they entered," sexton said.  "It's just a system of checks and balances."

This was the first time Sexton, who has been involved in 911 dispatching for 35 years, has experienced the FBI audit.  She said the local emergency agency is audited every two to three years by MULES.  she said the FBI randomly picks places to review the records each year.

Computer- Assisted Dispatch - Follow this link for an explanation from Wikipedia.

Emergency Warning Sirens - Warren County Joint Communications activates most of the Emergency Warning Sirens in Warren County.  The only one we do not activate is the one in Marthasville.  The sirens will be set off if the National Weather Service indicates a tornado warning is in effect for Warren County. We also test the sirens on the first Tuesday of every month at 10:00 AM.  During inclement weather this test may be canceled.  Click here for siren locations.

TTY / TDD - Warren County Joint Communications is equipped with a TDD machine for non-emergency calls.  Our 911 system will automatically detect a TDD call.  We also have the ability to type messages to the TDD caller to get them help quickly and efficiently.

VoIP Phones and 911 - If you are considering a VoIP phone provider, please read the fine print related to 911.  The FCC has ruled that all VoIP carriers must provide full 911 service as of November 29, 2005.  However not all 911 calls route directly to Warren County 911.  For more info please visit www.911voip.org

Understanding 911

In Warren County, our 911 system displays the address, residents name, and the telephone number from where the 911 call is being placed.

When you dial 911, you will be connected to a dispatcher at the Warren County joint Communications Center, who will assist you in getting the help you need.  This is why it is important when you have an emergency, that the person in need of help makes the call whenever possible.   We ask that you do not call your spouse, mother or friend to make the call for you.  They may be dialing 911 from another county.  This will only delay your assistance.

When You Dial 911 The Following Will Occur

The location of your emergency will be verified by the dispatcher for accuracy, and you will be asked for the telephone number you are calling from.

You will then be asked the specifics about the situation... Your name, and the patients name if appropriate.  After the initial assessment, the appropriate agency will be notified, and the dispatcher will return to the line to obtain further information.  There are times that the emergency is not where the call is coming from.  For this reason it is necessary to verify the address of the emergency.

911 Medical Emergencies

Every dispatcher has been trained and certified in Emergency Medical Dispatch.  If there is a medical emergency, the dispatcher will provide you with appropriate instruction until help arrives.  These instructions cover all medical situations from basic first aid to life saving techniques.  You will be asked direct questions and you will be given tasks to perform based on your answers to these questions.  Carrying out these tasks will assist the sick or injured person until help arrives.