Astoria 9-1-1 operates under the governance of the City of Astoria. We use Subscriber Agreements which allow us to dispatch fifteen agencies, including police and fire. Astoria 9-1-1 answers calls from all citizens in Astoria, Warrenton, and the County except for the cities of Seaside, Gearhart, and Cannon Beach. In the early 1970’s most Agencies handled their own dispatching services. As the demand started to grow for all residents to have access to 9-1-1 dispatching functions became consolidated under central answering points. Astoria 9-1-1 began in 1977.
During those early Days Police Officers were able to relieve the Dispatchers for breaks, and worked the Sunday shifts. Since then the occupation of emergency dispatching has become highly specialized. In 1994 Oregon required all emergency dispatchers to be certified the same as a police officer or fire fighter. Oregon requires all dispatchers to attend a two-week state academy. After this training is completed trainees then complete a 4-6 month intensive local training program under the direct supervision of an experienced Field Training Officer (FTO). Once training is completed they will be able to operate the radio, take 9-1-1 and non-emergency phone calls, operate the Computer Aided Dispatch system, operate the Law Enforcement Data terminal, and are also Emergency Medical Dispatch certified. Today Astoria 9-1-1 operates twenty-four hours a day year round and has a staff of nine Dispatchers and one Manager.
Astoria 9-1-1 dispatches for the following:
FIRE DEPARTMENTS:
Westport Fire & Rescue
Knappa, Svensen, Burnside RFPD
John Day – Fernhill RFPD
Astoria Fire Department
Warrenton Fire Department
Warrenton RFPD
Lewis & Clark RFPD
Olney Walluski Fire & Rescue
Elsie Vinemaple RFPD
Oregon Department of Forestry
USCG Air Station Astoria Fire Department
Camp RIlea Fire Department
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES:
Astoria Police Department
Clatsop County Sheriff
Warrenton Police Department
Port of Astoria Security
