Enduring
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

                   

The Jackson County 911 Dispatch Center is to be the new home for Southern Oregon Regional Communications, a proposed consolidation of 911 dispatch operations for the public safety resources of Jackson County and the City of Medford. In addition, the facility is to include a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC), a unified command and control facility for marshalling public safety operations in the event of a natural disaster or other threats to the local populace. The Dispatch Center is the first element of an easily accessed master planned site near the Medford airport which will eventually include new buildings for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and ambulance operations.

As this is a critical facility, one which must remain in operation under all circumstances, security and solidity of construction were of primary concern. At the same time it was important to create a comfortable environment for the dispatchers and other staff. The workers here are engaged in fairly high stress activities, therefore it was important to provide areas of visual relief, especially for the dispatch center. Areas of protected glazing enable the dispatchers to be in a protected environment, while enjoying natural light and views to the landscape and distant mountain vistas. In addition, the dispatchers and staff have access to protected landscaped areas for breaks.

The facility will feature state of the art communication technology, and the building accommodates current needs and anticipates changes in the future. Raised access flooring and specialized static management protect equipment and foster updates. A critical operations power supply system (COPS) will insure reliable function in all types of situations.