Cass County cuts ribbon on new regional dispatch center

FARGO — Emergency dispatchers for the Red River Regional Dispatch Center will soon have a new home.

The new location near 45th St. N. features expanded work stations with sound and lighting controls.

The facility also offers areas for dispatch employees to take breaks and spend time processing the emotions and stress the job can bring.

Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, as did area Mayors and Fargo city commissioners.

Former Fargo Fire Chief Steve Dirksen says the new facility has been needed since he first became chief.

“I remember when I became the fire chief in Fargo, in 2011, one of the first things I did in 2012 was went and did a sit-a-long at Red River Regional Dispatch,” Dirksen said. “And when I sat there, and looked at the conditions that our dispatchers were working in, I said, ‘We’ve got to do better.’ (…) I will tell you Amanda and the team did a great job – Mary before her – in getting this design in place so that it’s a functional facility for the employees to work in.”

The new facility is also set to withstand extreme events, and can withstand the force of a tornado.