Communications

15 E. Chautauqua Street P.O. Box 128 Mayville, NY 14757 716-753-2131

Sheriff Joseph A. Gerace

Integrity

Fairness

Compassion

Professionalism

The Communications Division of the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office is under the direct supervision of Sgt. Richard Telford. In January of 2004, the dispatchers that were based at Jamestown Police Department began working in Mayville at the Sheriff's Office. The transition was smooth and most citizens were not aware that a change of location had taken place. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved.

The dispatch center is by far the busiest division of all within the Sheriff's Office. It is a high stress job that requires knowledge in many areas including NY and Local Laws, Fire Department coordination and emergency medical techniques to assist those in need while the appropriate personnel is dispatched to the scene.

Dispatchers give emergency instructions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, and help calm victims while directing police officers, firefighters and rescue workers to help them. In addition to emergency calls for help, dispatchers field calls from individuals seeking general information, news media personnel, automated alarm calls and monitor the RUOK system. Often times, all these things are going on at the same time. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office communications center is an impressive, highly technical operation that serves every corner of the county.

Communications personnel dispatch Sheriff's Deputies, Police Officers for the villages of Silver Creek, Westfield, Town of Ellicott Police, Lakewood-Busti Police, City of Jamestown Police, Chautauqua Institution Police and a part-time Police Department in the Town of Sheridan.

In addition to its Police function, Communications personnel are responsible for the primary dispatching of 40 different volunteer Fire departments throughout the County, as well as the City of Jamestown Fire Department, maintaining direct radio contact with county, town and village highway vehicles, county coroners, local government, environmental conservation, the New York State Police and the office of Emergency Management and Civil Defense.

The Sheriff's Office communications center answers 911 emergency calls from all corners of the county each day. During the course of a year, well over 50,000 calls are answered and responded to. These calls range from life or death situations, to simple requests for information. The men and women who work communications are a critical element in the public safety network.

Here are a few tips you can implement to ensure you receive the fastest response in case you have an emergency.

Only call 911 if you have an actual emergency. Requesting general information is not an appropriate use of the 911 system. Use the phone numbers listed on our phone number page for non emergency calls.
In an emergency, listen to the dispatchers. They know what questions to ask. Try to stay calm. We understand that this is difficult to do during an emergency, however the calmer you can be, the faster the information they need will be obtained and help can be sent.
Do not make prank calls to 911. Each call is recorded and the location where the call is being made is displayed. Prank phone calls not only tie up our dispatchers but could prevent help from arriving as fast as it possibly can. Those that make prank phone calls will receive a visit from a Sheriff's Deputy and charges will be placed.