Barnes County, Valley City, North Dakota – Barnes County Dispatch Center is celebrating the second full week of April (April 12-18) as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This week honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to citizens across the world.
On average, Barnes County Dispatch handles 21,000 calls for service and 45,000 emergency and non-emergency calls into the 911 Dispatch center each year. Barnes County Dispatch is a two position Public Safety Answering Point that serves Barnes County and the communities within it. We accept 911 calls for all of Barnes County and dispatches for 2 law enforcement agencies, 13 fire departments, 6 quick response units, 1 ambulance service, and serve as the after-hours answering service for many other departments including Valley City Public Works, Barnes County Sheriffs Office, and Valley City Police Department. Barnes County Dispatch employs 9 Full Time Public Safety Telecommunicators, 3 Part Time Public Safety Telecommunicators, and 1 PST Director/911 Coordinator to ensure 24/7/365 coverage for the Barnes County communities.
In 2025, Barnes County Dispatch was honored to receive the “Make A Difference Award” from the North Dakota Chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) for their team’s extraordinary performance and professionalism during the devastating tornados and derecho winds that struck Barnes County on June 20th, 2025. Over the course of the entire event, the dispatch team accepted 1,386 emergency and non-emergency calls and created 538 Calls for Service on two consoles, counting for appropriately 30% of the center’s total average monthly call volume in about 36 hours.
Governor Kelly Armstrong has recognized National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and honored PSTs across the great state of North Dakota by releasing an official Proclamation.
“In times of fear and confusion, Barnes County Dispatch’s Public Safety Telecommunicators are the steady voice always there to help you. It is an honor to be recognized by Governor Armstrong, the Barnes County Commission, and so many of our partner responder agencies during this week. Every day, I have the immense privilege to work along side of the incredible men and women of the Barnes County Dispatch Center. Watching them serve their community with such passion and care is truly a treasure and my wish is to not only recognize these incredible individuals during this week but to remember the great work this individuals accomplish day in and day out – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, Nights, Weekends, and Holidays.” stated Barnes County PST Director/911 Coordinator, Sarah Miller.
To learn more about Barnes County Dispatch or to join this incredible team of community heroes, please visit the Barnes County Website at barnescounty.us