Board approves upgrades for 911 Dispatch Center

NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP — ‘The work stations are in poor condition and are not able to accommodate the needs of a modern 911 dispatch center.’

That statement is part of a letter that sent from Marquette County Central Dispatch Manager Gary Johnson to the County Board of Commissioners last week.

Johnson addressed the board at their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night. He asked the commissioners to approve a $52,000 contract to install three new workstations at the dispatch center.

Johnson says the upgrades are necessary for dispatchers to perform a job that requires them to be on the ball at all times.

“It’s not a desk that you would think of in an office,” said Johnson. “This gets intense use 24/7. They work either 8 or 12 hours. Our dispatchers cannot leave the console for more than a minute or two at a time. They do need some ergonomics so that when they’re sitting that long they’re able to stay sharp.”

By a vote of 6-0, the board approved a bid to Xybix Systems Inc., out of Littleton, Colorado. The Marquette County Dispatch Center is located in Negaunee Township, inside the Michigan State Police Negaunee Post.