Emergency dispatchers are trained to operate six computers, four speakers, one headset and handle multiple callers all at once. Last year, Whitman County Regional Communications Center 911 answered over 92,000 service calls, 30,000 911 calls and 80,000 non-emergency calls.
Whitcom celebrated its 25th anniversary during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Whitcom executive director Wendy Berrett said they had small celebrations during the week. But their work does not end before or after that week.
Whitcom dispatches for Whitman County — including Pullman and WSU Pullman — Asotin County, Clarkston, Moscow — including the University of Idaho — and the Nez Perce Tribe, which spans across five counties in Idaho. Berrett said they cover about 74 agencies.