Long-time 911 veteran marks one month as director

Skagit County Press Release– Helen Rasmussen is four weeks into her new job as Skagit 911 Director, but her roots in the field date back more than 16 years, a valuable work history in a world that involves dispatch services for agencies serving a 1,700 sq. mi. region.

            Rasmussen, selected to her leadership role by the Skagit Emergency Management Council (EMC) on May 15, has worked her way up the ladder from a career start as a dispatcher.

            “This is the best job, the best industry I have been in,” said Rasmussen. “Every day is a learning experience. Every day those of us in this Center can walk away knowing we have provided well for our community and the agencies for whom we dispatch.”

            Skagit 911 is the primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for Skagit County. Although located in Mount Vernon, the Center provides call-taking and dispatch services for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies located throughout

Skagit County.

            “Skagit 911 is your community emergency communications expert,” said Rasmussen. “From critical incident updates and handling of public record requests, to services for all critical and non-critical emergencies, we cover it all. Our communications equipment and infrastructure stretch across the county’s 1,700 square miles and the system continues to grow as we work to meet increasing demands.”

            The Skagit 911 Center team receives more than 200,000 calls annually. Skagit 911 dispatches for all incidents handled by the following:

• Skagit County Sheriff’s Department
• Local municipal police departments
• Local tribal police departments
• Local municipal fire departments
• Skagit County fire districts
• Emergency Medical Services

            Rasmussen said it is a privilege to work with local professionals in all areas of emergency response.

            “One of the benefits of coming to this job from within is that I have relationships built over 16 years. I have been involved in aspects of all we do in this agency. There is an established level of trust. These law enforcement, fire and medical professionals know their systems inside and out, so we work together to try to make sure we are providing them what they need to do their jobs.”

            The 911 Center director also speaks highly of staff.

            “We have amazing people here,” she said, “including 31 dispatchers, four supervisors, two records technicians and six individuals in administration.”

            “The 911 business is very complex,” she said. We work with all interlocal emergency response agencies, which requires a strong knowledge of police, fire and EMS systems. We also need to know the history of 911, how it currently works and how changes to the 911 systems will affect the community and local agencies in the coming years.”

            The 911 Center meets state and national requirements, from call processing times to verification of locations. All radio traffic is recorded.

            Rasmussen expresses gratitude for the support of the EMC, members of which include Skagit County’s three commissioners and eight city mayors.

            “We appreciate the support and guidance provided by our elected officials serving as members of the Emergency Management Council,” she said. “The EMC has been instrumental in allowing Skagit 911 the flexibility to grow and adapt to the changing operational environment we face.”

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 End Of Press Memo. Source: Skagit County