About

Mission Statement

To serve as the communications link between the citizens, visitors, and public safety agencies of Ottawa County, by providing an effective method of accessing emergency services through professional and courteous public safety communication and dispatch services.

About OCCDA

The Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority is committed to providing one point of contact for all emergency situations in Ottawa County. Central Dispatch is staffed 24 hours a day with Communication Specialists and Supervisors to ensure that calls are handled with urgency, and ensure the proper agency responds as quickly as possible. The staff is comprised of employees committed to serving the public during times of crisis, with courtesy and professionalism. Employees are trained and certified to provide pre-arrival first aid instructions over the phone as needed until help arrives on the scene.

The Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority provides emergency communication for all Police, Fire, and EMS agencies in Ottawa County. Funding is provided through a county-wide millage. On August 5, 2008, the citizens of Ottawa County overwhelmingly approved the renewal of the millage for Ottawa County Central Dispatch. The millage was renewed at a beginning rate of .44 mils for 20 years. The millage will run from 2009 through 2028 inclusive and is subject to the Headlee amendment. The millage ensures stable funding for operations of the Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority.

History

The Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority was established in 1989 to build a Central Dispatch system and implement enhanced 9-1-1. Ottawa Central Dispatch began operation in March 1991. Central Dispatch handles all requests for Public Safety service in Ottawa County. Central Dispatch also provides radio communication services for all public safety agencies in Ottawa County. Central Dispatch receives requests for and handles the dispatch of all police, fire, and medical emergencies in Ottawa County and the entire City of Holland. Ottawa County Central Dispatch is one of the largest multi-jurisdictional dispatch centers in the State of Michigan.

Our primary means of communication with the public is our Enhanced 9-1-1 system. This system helps us locate callers in an emergency by providing a name, address, and phone number. Ottawa 9-1-1 is capable of receiving both Phase l and Phase ll cellular 9-1-1 calls. Non-emergency calls are facilitated through our toll-free number (1-800-249-0911), and administrative lines for public and private use.

The other primary means of communication is our radio and computer systems. All Ottawa County police, fire and ambulance services communicate with Central Dispatch via the radio system. Central Dispatch currently has one of the most up to date mobile date systems in the State of Michigan. This system features drivers license photos, jail mugshots, and officer access to a multitude of other databases.