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Photo of Cedar River in Mitchell County, Iowa

E-911

Mitchell County E-911: Kris Olson, Coordinator

Hours: Mon – Thurs, 7:30am to 4:00pm
Location: 211 S 6th St., Osage, IA 50461-1228
Phone: (641) 732-4837
Email: mtch911@osage.net

Mitchell County E-911…….I Want Your Number!

It’s that time of year again and I want to bring you news of Mitchell County’s E-911 System. It has been an exciting year for 911. April 3, 2013, Dispatcher, Barb Michael was awarded “Iowa’s Top Dispatcher” from the Iowa Chapter of APCO.

Mitchell County’s E-911 system went through the NG-911 upgrade which took us from the use of the old Telident Router standard to updated equipment that uses an IP based system throughout the State.

It is now the goal to reach out to the public to accumulate as many cellphone numbers to put into the database as possible. That’s where “I Want Your Number”, comes in. If you have a cellphone and it is the only phone you have, unlike landline numbers received from various telephone companies when you move in or out of a residence that follow you wherever you go, cellphone numbers are not accessed to be entered into the database.

Landline numbers have the address and name attached to them so when a 911 call is made that information is sent to the dispatch center and can be accessed easily. Cellphone 911 calls only have the longitude and latitudes attached, no name or address. That is why it is so important to get your name, address and cell phone numbers into the database so that the dispatcher has the information to easily and quickly send the appropriate help to you.

Remember, if you have switched your landline telephone to one of the” big store” phone programs where it allows you to keep your old landline telephone number but it converts your number to a cellphone, those calls now come in as a cell number and changes the format and information that come along with that 911 call to cell information only.

Your way to make sure we have your cellphone information is to call the E-911 Administration office at 641-732-4837, and give your cell phone information. All information given is held private and used only by the dispatcher and the appropriate emergency response personnel.   The office is open 7:30AM to 4:00PM Monday through Thursday. I would be happy to take your call, answer any questions you might have or explain the E-911 system further.

Blue E-911 Signs

One more reminder, please make sure your blue E-911 sign is visible from the road for emergency personnel. The correct placement of the sign is to be on the right hand side of the drive(as you are pulling into the residence) and placed on the back-slope of the ditch approximately 10 feet from the edge of the road.