About 9-1-1
Launch the media gallery 1 playerThe primary function of the Communications Department (9-1-1) is the dispatching of emergency services for all of Barton County. The Communications Department provides emergency dispatching services for the Barton County Sheriff's Department; the Police Departments of Claflin, Ellinwood, Great Bend, and Hoisington, the Kansas Highway Patrol and all fire departments and emergency medical services in Barton County.
Barton County Communications is the public safety answering point for all of Barton County and has enhanced 911 services.
Barton County Communications staffs 15 employees. (the director, two supervisors, 2 communications officer II's, and 10 dispatchers). Dispatchers are on-duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist the public. Dispatchers are required to work holidays, nights and weekends as scheduled, and rotating shifts. We work 12 hours shifts, and rotate every 90 days. In addition to providing emergency services, the 911 dispatchers will provide the public with 911 addresses when building a new structure or moving to the Barton County area.
Barton County went live with NG911 in August 2016 and completed an upgrade in November 2017 by adding text-to-911.