Anoka County 911 Unveils $40M State-of-the-Art Communications Center in Andover

Anoka County 911 Unveils $40M State-of-the-Art Communications Center in Andover

ANDOVER, MN – After decades of operating from a "dark government basement" , Anoka County's 911 Emergency Communications Center has officially relocated to a new, state-of-the-art facility in Andover, marking a significant strategic upgrade for public safety. The 42,000-square-foot Emergency Communications Center off Hanson Boulevard, which held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 10, 2023 , has been operational for nearly six months.

The $40 million project was a long-needed investment , with federal funding covering more than half of the total cost. The financing included an estimated $18 million in bonds and a substantial $20 million in federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Funds.

The new facility consolidates the 911 call center, which handles more than 400,000 calls annually, and the radio shop that services all radio equipment used by Anoka County's first responders. This move not only provides a larger, brighter space but also brings with it major technological upgrades. One key innovation is a new system that uses assisted technology to automatically handle about 35% of alarm calls, meaning the phone "never rings anymore" for those specific requests. This change allows telecommunicators to focus their full attention on more critical, high-stress situations.

The design of the new center also places a renewed emphasis on employee wellness. Anoka County Board Chair Mike Gamache highlighted the immense emotional toll of the job during a media tour, describing how telecommunicators must handle traumatic incidents, such as a child being hit by a car, while also calming down the caller to ensure they can get all the necessary information correctly. The new, more supportive environment is intended to help retain a resilient and experienced workforce.

Gamache summarized the project's impact by stating, "It's so great that we have this ability to give the people of Anoka County the best possible service at sometimes the worst possible moment of their lives".

MinneapoliMedia