HomeMy WebLinkAbout20201117 (KPD Dispatch's Communications Center undergoes complete renovation
THE COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: November 17, 2020
KAUA‘I POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-1600
Fax (808) 241-1604
KPD Dispatch’s Communications Center undergoes complete renovation
LĪHU‘E – Kauaʽi Police Department dispatchers will move into a newly renovated
Communications Center at the Līhuʿe Headquarters on Wednesday. For the past three months,
as renovations and upgrades were underway, dispatchers worked from a temporary location
while continuing to service all calls uninterrupted through 911 and the non-emergency line.
The $178,000 renovation, made possible by funds from the State 911 Board, included
new flooring, new dispatcher consoles, a fresh coat of paint and a new video wall system.
“This renovation was much needed and I’m so grateful to everyone who worked on
getting it completed as quickly as possible; they did a great job,” said Communications Center
Sergeant Stacy Perreira. “I am also thankful to those who made the funding possible and, most
importantly, to the dispatchers who were able to work seamlessly throughout this transition.”
KPD has 19 full time dispatchers who answer calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The dispatchers’ individual years of service range from more than 23 years to around 6 months.
KPD’s Communications Section is the fourth largest Public Safety Answering Point
(PSAP) in the state and serves as the PSAP for all Emergency Service Calls on Kauaʽi,
including Police, Fire and Medics. The Communications Center is a consolidated dispatch
center that also responds to incoming calls of service related to Lifeguards, Park Rangers, the
Pacific Missile Range Facility and the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
“During natural disasters, we are the hub of all calls,” said Perriera. “It’s a job that
requires skill and an ability to communicate with a wide range of people, some of whom are
experiencing the most critical and traumatic moment of their lives.”
The total number of calls received by dispatchers thus far this year is nearly 112,000,
almost 43,000 of which were 911 calls. In 2018 and 2019, the total number of calls received
each year was almost 150,000. In 2018, about 53,000 were 911 calls and in 2019 about 62,000
were 911 calls.
The Communications Section is divided into three primary categories—call takers who
receive all non-emergency calls, radio dispatchers who dispatch all police-related calls and
emergency dispatchers, who receive all 911 calls for Police, Fire and Medics.
KPD’s dispatchers are cross trained to handle all of these categories.
The public is encouraged to call the non-emergency line, 241-1711, for all inquiries that
are not fire or medical emergencies, or crimes in progress.
Please continue to call 911 In the event of an active emergency. Individuals may also
Text to 911, an emergency service provided to all mobile users in the state that allow someone
to use their activated cell phone to contact the 911 center without having to place a phone call.
KPD’s Dispatch Shift Supervisor, Lavina Taovao, who has served in her position for
almost two decades, uses one of the upgraded consoles at the newly renovated
Communications Center.
Before (left) and after photos of a dispatcher’s console.
Newly renovated Communications Center at KPD headquarters in Līhuʿe.
Dispatchers like Dispatch Shift Supervisor Lavina Taovao now have the ability to sit or
stand at their individual consoles.
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