2008 ANNUAL REPORT

La Crosse County Emergency Services

Public Safety Communications

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Mission Statement

The Public Safety Communications division of La Crosse County Emergency Services responds to public safety needs of people

in La Crosse County by providing professional call-taking, dispatch and

support services to pre-hospital medical, fire and law enforcement agencies.

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If there is one word that would best describe the overall theme for the Public Safety Communications Department in 2008, that word would be “CHANGE”. There were a number of policy and procedural changes that occurred within the department, one of which was “EMD”. “EMD” (Emergency Medical Dispatch) now provides callers with the service of receiving Emergency Medical instruction from trained personnel at Medical Dispatch, while responders are en route to the scene. In cooperation with the agencies we serve, our department was also very proactive in changing policy and procedure on how to handle Wireless 911 hang-up calls. The change for Wireless 911 hang-up calls was influenced by an incident that occurred at another call center in Wisconsin in the spring of 2008. Both of these changes in the department, among many others, have been implemented to better serve the citizens of La Crosse County.

Although the above policy and procedural changes are significant in relation to the operation of the department and customer service, the change of personnel in the department is of even greater significance. This year, the department lost six personnel: four were due to retirement and the other two resigned. In all, the department lost 121 years worth of experience. Of those that retired, two were Supervisors and two were Telecommunicators, with each one having over 25 years or more of service to La Crosse County. Change is inevitable; and as this department moves forward, changes have to be made. Two of our current Telecommunicators have been promoted to Supervisors and the department has hired four new people to our staff to train and become professional Telecommunicators.

Public Safety Communications 2008

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Poster courtesy of SCC Communications Corp

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One Call Gets it All!

• Police

• Fire

• EMS

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2008 Judiciary and Law Committee

Vickie Burke District # 26 Supervisor – Chair

Joe Bilskemper District # 35 Supervisor

Maureen Freedland District # 8 Supervisor

Tara Johnson District # 18 Supervisor

Ray Ebert District # 22 Supervisor

Bridget Flood District # 12 Supervisor

Joe Veenstra District # 3 Supervisor

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2008 Public Safety Communications Board

Chief Edward Kondracki, Chair La Crosse Police DepartmentChief Scott Alo, Vice-Chair Bangor Police Department Chief Gregg Cleveland La Crosse Fire DepartmentChief Randy Roeck Shelby Fire DepartmentInterim Chief Tim Hauser Onalaska Police Department Chief Don Dominick Onalaska Fire Department Vicki Burke County SupervisorBruce Ranis City Council MemberDr. Eric Voter Medical DoctorSheriff Steve Helgeson La Crosse Sheriff’s DepartmentSteve O’Malley La Crosse County Administrator

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2008 Public Safety Communications Staff

Supervisors Nancy HeimkeMichael ThompsonKen DamaschkeNancy LubinskiTim VogelKaren Hoel – RetiredJoseph O’Keefe –Retired

TelecommunicatorsSenior Allan Tiedt

Michael Sevallius

Lori Peterson

Melissa Rendler

Dawn Heiden

Lisa Deyo

Ruth Krueger

Sonja Christopherson

Don Mollway

Holly InglettDave Hutchison

Sara Kappauf

Rose Rosenbaum

Mitch Tofstad

Cory Lynch

Senior (continued) Marsha Alens – Retired

Susan Whitewater – Retired

Chuck Kinsey*

Telecommunicator Jason AllenErika Brindisi

Probationary Michelle GriffinKevin BricknerShannon CareyZach RievesAlfred Leano*

Dispatch Clerk Kim Williams

Secretary Patti McDonah

Technology Coordinator Alan Blencoe

Administrator Jay Loeffler

* Resigned in 2008

Names in italic have served 20 or more years 11

– Retired • Marsha Alens (27 Years)• Sue Whitewater (33 Years)• Karen Hoel (25 Years)• Joe O’Keefe (25 Years)

– Resigned • Chuck Kinsey (11 years)• Alfred Leano (first year)

Public Safety Communications lost 121 years of experience in 2008

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Public Safety Communications Promotions

Nancy LubinskiMost senior member of staff (30 years)

3rd/2nd Shift Relief Supervisor

Tim Vogel 17 Years Experience

3rd Shift Supervisor

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Public Safety Communications New Team members

Michelle Griffin

Zachary Rieves

Kevin Brickner

Shannon Carey

Staff is currently one telecommunicator short.

Will be testing to establish a new eligibility list in March.

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Awards

Michael Thompson

2008 Line Supervisor of the YearNICE Systems’

Public Safety Answering Points Finest Award

NICE Systems provides security systems, including public safety communications call-monitoring software and equipment. Mike was named, in part, because of his work during the 2007 Flash Flooding event in La Crosse County and for his work in helping to bring enhanced 9-1-1 wireless capability to the La Crosse area.

Public Safety Communications

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Telecommunicator’s Code of Ethics As a telecommunicator, I regard myself as a member of an important and honorable

profession. I will keep myself in the best possible physical condition at all times. I will perform my duty with efficiency at all times. I will be exemplary in my conduct, edifying my conversation, honest in my dealings

and obedient to the law of the city, state and country. I will not, in the performance of my duty, work for personal advantage or profit. I will at all times recognize that I am a public servant. I will give the most efficient and impartial service of which I am capable at all times. I will be courteous in my contacts at all times. I will regard my fellow telecommunicators with the same standards as I maintain

myself. I will be loyal to my fellow telecommunicators with the same standards as I maintain

myself. I will be loyal to my fellow telecommunicators, my superiors and my agency. I will accept responsibility for my actions. I will do only those things that will reflect honor on my fellow telecommunicators, my

agency and myself.

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Communications Center ServicesTelephone Lines

16 9-1-1 Land Line Trunks15 9-1-1 Cellular Line Trunks 2 Emergency Alarm Lines 2 Direct Lines

Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Center Airport Security

4 Lines La Crosse City Police Department 2 Lines La Crosse Sheriff’s Department 2 Lines Onalaska Police Department 1 Line Town of Shelby Police & Fire Department15 Total In/Out Lines for the Emergency Dispatch Center

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Radio Communications POLICE DEPARTMENTS

La Crosse Police Dept La Crosse Sheriff’s Dept Onalaska Police Dept Holmen Police Dept West Salem Police Dept Campbell Police Dept Bangor Police Dept Shelby Police Dept

FIRE DEPARTMENTS La Crosse Fire Dept Onalaska Fire Dept Holmen Fire Dept West Salem Fire Dept Campbell Fire Dept Bangor Fire Dept Shelby Fire Dept Farmington Fire Dept

AMBULANCE Tri-State Ambulance

FIRST RESPONDERS La Crosse First Responders Onalaska First Responders Holmen First Responders West Salem First Responders Bangor First Responders Campbell First Responders Farmington /North Bend First

Responders Shelby First Responders Brice Prairie First Responders

PUBLIC WORKS DEPT City of La Crosse County of La Crosse Town of Shelby

OTHER Marine Band Radio MTU Airport La Crosse Center

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Radio Communications continued

PAGING

La Crosse Fire Dept Onalaska Fire Dept Holmen Fire Dept Shelby Fire Dept Bangor Fire & First Responders Campbell Fire & First Responders Farmington Fire & First Responders West Salem Fire & First Responders Brice Prairie First Responders

Dive/Rescue Team Emergency Government Emergency Alert System Mass Casualty Team

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Radio Communications continued

Bangor Fire Department Campbell Fire Department Farmington Fire Department Holmen Fire Department Shelby Fire Department

Sirens Bangor Warning System Holmen Warning System La Crosse Warning System West Salem Warning System

We provide Law Enforcement Computer services for all criminal justice agencies in La Crosse County.

Monitor Marine Band Radio and dispatch for water-related emergencies.

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It’s just another day!During an Average day in 2008, we:

* Answer or place 871 phone calls* Answer 79 9-1-1 calls* Dispatch 294 police calls for service* Dispatch 16 emergency medical calls for service* Dispatch 6 fire calls for service* Obtain 105 criminal histories* Obtain 95 driving records* Obtain 10 vehicle registration records* Send 8 administrative messages* Enter 9 warrants* Cancel 9 warrants

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Average

Calls

Hours of the Day

1st Shift 2nd Shift 3rd Shift35% 40% 25%

2008 Average Calls For ServiceBy Hour

0

5

10

15

20

25

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Help!

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Busiest Day of the Week

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

20,000

22,000

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Total calls for service for the year for each day of the week

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LAW ENFORCEMENT

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2008 Law EnforcementCalls For Service

La Crosse Police Dept 59,985La Crosse Sheriff’s Dept 22,170Onalaska Police Dept 13,526Holmen Police Dept 5,057Campbell Police Dept 4,091Bangor Police Dept 3,640West Salem Police Dept 3,455 Shelby Police Dept *

TOTAL POLICE CALLS FOR SERVICE 111,924

*Shelby’s statistics are included with the Sheriff’s Dept total.

0%

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Law Enforcement CallsFor Service – 15-year History

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

27The above chart reflects one count per agency per call

Law EnforcementCalls In 10 Years

107,610

109,189

106,000

106,500

107,000

107,500

108,000

108,500

109,000

109,500

110,000

2008 1998

1%

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EMERGENCY MEDICAL

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2008 Emergency Medical Calls

La Crosse First Responders 3,339Onalaska First Responders 980Holmen First Responders 439 West Salem First Responders 347Campbell First Responders 222Shelby First Responders 168Bangor First Responders 154Farmington First Responders 83Brice Prairie First Responders 42Coon Valley First Responders (La Crosse County Calls) 7

TOTAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL CALLS 5,781

15 %

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Emergency Medical Calls15-Year History

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

5,000

5,500

6,000

2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

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Emergency Medical CallsIn 10 Years

5,781

3,248

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

2008 1998

78%

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2008 Fire Calls Dispatched

La Crosse Fire Dept 1,245Onalaska Fire Dept 422Holmen Fire Dept 143 West Salem Fire Dept 98 Shelby Fire Dept 53Bangor/Rockland Fire Dept 49Campbell Fire Dept 50 Farmington Fire Dept 18 Coon Valley Fire Dept 2

TOTAL FIRE CALLS 2,080

13 %

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Fire Calls Dispatched15-Year History

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 199435

Fire CallsIn 10 Years

2,080

1,922

1,800

1,850

1,900

1,950

2,000

2,050

2,100

2008 1998

8%

FD

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PHONE CALLS

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Total CallsTotal Calls Average per Month Average per Day

By MonthJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMay

June

July August SeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

9%

2007

351,796 29,316

964

29,96830,28131,10229,84434,24230,64331,39138,40933,734 33,24226,53330,831

2008

318,653 26,554

871

25.831 24.99924.14425.73828,01828,42228,63926,90528,691 27,56524,19825,503

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Telephone CallsBy Month

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2007 2008

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Past 15-year History (all calls) All-time total - 8,313,499 (since dispatch center inception in 1983)

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

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318,653

366,885

300,000

310,000

320,000

330,000

340,000

350,000

360,000

370,000

2008 1998

13%

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“9-1-1

Emergency!”

1%

2008 2007Total 9-1-1 Calls 28,830 28,444

Average per Month 2,400 2,370Average per Day 79 78

By MonthJanuary 2,422 1,953February 2,239 2,180March 2,076 2,188April 2,186 2,146May 2,390 2,806June 2,599 2,421July 2,549 2,526August 2,378 2,867September 2,651 2,464October 2,482 2,475November 2,233 1,960December 2,625 2,458

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9-1-1 Calls By Day

79 75 73 75 75

87 85

0102030405060708090

100

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

Average 9-1-1 Calls43

9-1-1 Calls by Month

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

2007 2008

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9-1-1 Calls 15-Year History 25-year-total 559,559

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

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28,830

26,144

24,500

25,000

25,500

26,000

26,500

27,000

27,500

28,000

28,500

29,000

2008 1998

9%

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2008 9-1-1 Ring Time Facts

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Answering 9-1-1 Performance

•10 seconds or less 93.16% of the time

•20 seconds or less 99.08% of the time

•40 seconds or less 99.93% of the time

•20 out of 28,798 took more than 40 seconds.

* National Emergency Number Association standards: answer 90% of calls in 10 seconds or less (during busy hour)answer 95% of the calls in 20 seconds or less.

First full year of this obtaining this stat. Capability became available in November 2007.

All-Time Telephone Records Total Calls Most in a 24-hour period 2,399 – Sunday, August 19, 2007 Flash Flooding

Least in a 24-hour period 323 - Sunday, April 30, 1989

Most in a month 35,542 – August 2007 (1,147 per day average)

Least in a month 20,251 - February, 1987 (723 per day average)

Most in a Year 374,726 – 2000

Least in a Year 291,233 - 1987

9-1-1 Calls Most in a 24-hour period• 256 – Sunday, August 19, 2007• Flash Flooding

Least in a 24-hour period• 19 - Tuesday, December 25, 1984

Most in a month• 3,037 – December 2000 (98 per day average)

Least in a month• 1,198 - February, 1986 (43 per day average)

Most in a Year• 29,668 – 2001

Least in a Year• 17,621 - 1987 48

Busiest Days on Record All Calls

2,399 – Sunday, August 19, 20072,097 – Saturday, January 27, 19962,056 – Saturday, June 27, 19981,899 – Friday, February 9, 20011,672 – Wednesday, January 20, 1993

9-1-1 Calls 256 – Sunday, August 19, 2007246 – Saturday, June 27, 1998233 – Saturday, August 18, 2007209 – Friday, February 23, 2007201 – Sunday, August 26, 1990

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2008 Comparisons with 2007

Total Calls – Down 9%

9-1-1 Calls – Up 1%

Law Enforcement Calls – 0%

Fire Calls – Up 13%

EMS Calls – Up 15%50

DEDICATION

The Public Safety Communications Department

2008 Annual Report is dedicated to the memory of

the UW Med Flight Crew that paid the ultimate price

while in the performance of their duties and to the

personnel of the agencies that responded on that

cold and foggy spring night, May 10th, 2008.

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The Flight Crew

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UW Med Flight Helicopter

Agusta Model 109E

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The Search Area

Wreckage found in this area

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The Search Area

Wreckage found in this area

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The Crash Site

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Procession – La Crosse to Madison

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Procession – La Crosse to Madison

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