ECN Director Dana Wahlberg retires after 35 years in public safety
March 4, 2024
ECN Director Dana Wahlberg retires after 35 years in public safety
March 4, 2024
Emergency Communication Networks Director Dana Wahlberg says good-bye to her staff after 35 years in public safety.
When Dana Wahlberg first applied for a position as a radio communications dispatcher, she was just looking for a job. Instead, she found a challenging, but rewarding calling in 911 dispatch. Wahlberg, the director of our Emergency Communication Networks (ECN) division, retired last week after 35 years in public safety.
“The 911 team that I'm leaving here at ECN is poised and prepared to take advantage of the new and emerging technologies available to us," Wahlberg said. “I'm happy to now be a Minnesota resident that is going to be able to watch the continued progress from the sidelines and continue to be served by this state-of-the-art system that is constantly improving."
Wahlberg began as a 911 dispatcher, known professionally as a public safety telecommunicator, in a public safety answering point (PSAP) in St. Louis County. Over the course of her career, she watched 911 dispatchers go from handwriting 911 caller report detail on paper cards to using sophisticated computer aided dispatch systems.
ECN and Minnesota's 911 program have gone through many changes over the course of the last three decades, but the implementation of Text-to-911 is one Wahlberg is most proud of. The program allows anyone in the state of Minnesota to text 911 and get that text answered by a 911 call center.
“It's become a lifesaver for people," Wahlberg said.
Text-to-911 offers a better option for those who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment to get the help they need. Not only that, but it offers an option to those who need help but need to remain quiet to stay safe. If you're in a place where a crime is in progress or with someone who might harm you if they knew you were calling 911, you can text 911 just like you would any other number.
Most recently, ECN has begun offering RapidDeploy Radius technology to PSAPs across the state, which allows telecommunicators to use a caller's phone GPS to locate them with pinpoint accuracy. The importance of time cannot be overstated when it comes to saving lives. Thanks to the existence of cutting-edge technology, we can now pinpoint a caller's exact location with remarkable precision, often even before they are aware of it.
Seeing communication technology leap forward has been exciting, but Wahlberg's focus has been on helping the people who live, work and play in Minnesota.
As a telecommunicator, she was the first, first responder. When that 911 call comes in and someone on the other end is in a panic, they need that voice of calm and reason. They need to feel that someone is going to help them get through this. They get that assurance from the telecommunicator. The person who answers the phone sets the stage for the rest of the response.
ECN is supporting PSAPs across the state in a recruitment campaign aimed at finding the next generation of 911 dispatchers. PSAPs are especially looking for people who have experience with video games.
“It's the young folks that grew up with technology that can become some of our best telecommunicators," Wahlberg said.
It's a difficult job, but a rewarding one. Learn more about becoming a telecommunicator at 911ItsYourCalling.com.