Willamette Valley Communications Center

Serving Marion and Polk Counties

The WVCC is a multi-agency 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point providing 9-1-1 call receipt and dispatch for police, fire, and medical responders within the Marion and Polk County area. The center was formed in 1991 as a cooperative effort of approximately 18 police and fire agencies in both counties. Centered in downtown Salem, it provides emergency services 24 hours a day.

WVCC is a technologically advanced communications center and one of the first centers in Oregon to provide enhanced 9-1-1. Enhanced 9-1-1 automatically provides the call taker with the caller's locations and telephone number. It is staffed with 56 full time employees. We have 8 call taker positions; 7 dispatch positions and 2 supervisor positions. Each Communications Specialist must successfully complete a rigorous training program and be certified by the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.

WVCC employees are trained in first aid and CPR and certified by the State as Emergency Medical Dispatchers. With that certification, call takers are able to provide medical instructions while medics are being dispatched and while en-route to their location.

Support Services Office

The Support Services is responsible for the maintenance of computerized information utilized by a variety of public safety personnel in emergency responses. The work involves coordination with the Enhanced 9-1-1 system, Master Street Address Guide (MSAG), Geographical Information System (GIS) and Computer Aided Dispatch system, analyzing and inputting the effects of annexation, equipment/personnel allocations of emergency responders, changes in street addresses, jurisdictional boundaries, etc..

WVCC Program Goals

Enhanced telephone call and incident handling capabilities through advanced technology and staffing patterns continues to be the foundation of the Willamette Valley Communications Center budget for FY 08-09.  WVCC plans to:

Public Safety Answering Points

The WVCC is one of three Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in Marion & Polk Counties. Located in Salem, WVCC provides call answering and dispatching for 18 police, fire and emergency medical service providers. Another PSAP is NORCOM, located in Woodburn, providing call taking and dispatch services for four city police agencies: Woodburn, Mt Angel, Silverton and Hubbard, eight (8) rural fire protection districts - Aurora, Drakes Crossing, Hubbard, Mt. Angel, Monitor, St. Paul, Silverton and Woodburn; and two (2) ambulance service providers - St. Paul and Woodburn to include Mt. Angel and Silverton districts. Santiam Canyon Communications is located in Stayton and provides service to 12 agencies including the U.S. Department of Forestry and the Bureau of Land Management.