Grays Harbor - 911 Communications

06/01/2026

To our Aberdeen residents… Some important information.

06/01/2026

May 2026 Call Statistics

05/26/2026

No two days are ever the same at Grays Harbor 911.

In a single shift, a telecommunicator may:

Answer emergency and non-emergency calls
Dispatch police, fire, and EMS
Provide life-saving instructions
Monitor multiple incidents at once

All while staying calm, focused, and professional.

Like a harbor seal navigating changing tides, dispatchers adapt quickly to whatever comes their way.

It’s fast-paced, meaningful work that makes a real difference to our community.

Telecommunicators handle emergencies, support responders, and help the public, all in one shift.

05/24/2026

We’ve gotten a lot of calls this week about baby seals on the beach. This is normal, please don’t touch them and stay away from them.

Their moms will be back!

Heading to the coast this holiday weekend? Be sure to keep your distance from harbor seals and their pups that you may find along shorelines.

Harbor seals intentionally leave their pups on shore while the adults are away feeding. During that time the pups are resting and keeping warm - it’s much warmer on the shore than it is in the Pacific Ocean! Seeing a seal pup alone doesn't usually mean there is something wrong.

Remember to never approach, feed, or disturb harbor seals or their pups. It is a violation of federal law to harass seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals. Share the Shore with seals and sea lions by watching marine mammals in a safe, responsible way. Follow these tips from NOAA Fisheries West Coast !

-Give them space: NOAA recommends you keep yourself and your pets at least 100 yards (the length of a football field) from seals to make sure you're not disrupting them.
-Be considerate of mothers and pups: Moms may not return if humans are too close to the pup onshore. Keep your distance so mom can return to care for her pup.
-Keep pets away and on a leash: Pets can disturb or harm wildlife, or may separate mothers from their pups.
-Report strandings: If you see an obviously injured, stranded, or dead animal please call NOAA’s West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 866-767-6114.

Learn more at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/marine-life-viewing-guidelines/share-shore-watch-marine-mammals-responsibly

📷 WDFW

05/11/2026

Being a telecommunicator isn’t just about answering phones or radios it’s about having the right mindset and skills.

Great telecommunicators are:

Calm under pressure
Strong communicators
Excellent listeners
Detail-oriented
Able to multitask in a fast-paced environment

These are skills that can be learned and strengthened with training and experience.

Harbor seals are known for being observant and responsive, two qualities that are essential in 911.

If you have the right mindset, we can teach the rest.

Think you have what it takes?
Great dispatchers are calm, focused, and strong communicators.

05/07/2026

We’re Hiring – Could You Answer the Call?

At Grays Harbor 911, our telecommunicators are the calm voice people hear on some of their worst days.

We’re looking for individuals who can:

Stay calm under pressure
Think critically and make quick decisions
Communicate clearly and confidently
Work as part of a team

No prior experience in emergency services? That’s okay, we provide the training you need to succeed.

Like the harbor seals along our coastline, our dispatchers stay alert, aware, and ready to respond at any moment.

This is more than a job, it’s a chance to serve your community in a meaningful way.

Grays Harbor 911 is hiring telecommunicators who are ready to make a difference.

Learn more: www.gh911.org/employment

05/01/2026

April 2026 Call Statistics

04/24/2026

Training Never Stops in 911

Even experienced telecommunicators continue training throughout their careers, because every call matters.

In Washington State, 911 telecommunicators are recognized as first responders, and are required to complete at least 24 hours of continuing education each year.

At Grays Harbor 911, all of our staff complete far more training hours than that.

What Does That Training Include?

Our telecommunicators regularly train on:

Call Handling & Communication

Emergency call processing

Interviewing callers and gathering critical information

Managing high-risk, complex, and atypical situations

Behavioral health and crisis calls

Location & Incident Management

Accurate and precise location identification

Categorizing and prioritizing calls (with over 120 call types)

Determining the minimum information needed to get help started quickly

Technology & Systems

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems

Radio and telephone equipment

Wireless device activations (fall detection, crash alerts, satellite texts)

Text-to-911 processing

Dispatching & Responder Safety

Dispatching calls for service

Radio communication and phonetic alphabet

Unit tracking and responder safety considerations

Policies, Procedures & Legal Responsibilities

Agency policies and procedures

Public records and confidentiality laws

Liability in public safety

Wellness & Resilience

Stress management and burnout prevention

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)

Peer support programs

Why It Matters

This ongoing training ensures our telecommunicators are prepared to handle any situation, provide accurate information, and support both the public and responders when it matters most.

At Grays Harbor 911, training never stops, because serving our community safely and effectively is always the priority.

04/18/2026

Please join us in recognizing our 2025 award recipients.

Ashley was honored for sustained excellence in performance. She consistently goes above and beyond in her support of callers, coworkers, and responders. We are incredibly fortunate to have her on our team.

The Critical Incident Team Award was presented to Krystal, Shawna, and D (not pictured) in recognition of their outstanding work and dedication.

We also presented a Critical Incident Award to an additional team member who has chosen to remain anonymous. Their contributions have not gone unnoticed, and we are deeply grateful for their service

04/16/2026

Grays Harbor 911 is here to serve our community.