Webster County Dispatch

10/19/2026

10/13/2026

We have been so blessed in Fort Dodge to have the first baby box in Iowa. This gives the family an option for whatever their reason may be to anonymously surrender the baby. Immediately when a baby is placed in the baby box it trips a mechanism that alerts us in dispatch that there is an object in the baby safe haven.Dispatch then advises the fire/medics to the baby. There are no cameras by the baby box so it is anonymous. No judgement made at all, but if one child’s life is saved I would consider it a win ❤️

10/01/2026

❤️
Tomorrow is the day! In remembrance of Pastor Al, it’s a special day dedicated to random acts of kindness ❤️
You never know what struggles people are hiding behind a smile. A kind word or gesture can mean the world to someone in turmoil. If you have any great Pay it Forward stories please tag us in it! We love to hear how amazing our community is! ❤️

It’s not marked as such on any calendar someone could buy at a store, but in Fort Dodge, Friday will be a special day. It is Pay It Forward Friday, a day dedicated to random acts of kindness to honor the memory of a beloved local pastor. The Rev. Al Henderson, pastor of St. Paul […]

10/01/2026

--Using Technology to Support Mental Health--

The Webster County Jail recently implemented CidNet, providing our staff with another valuable tool to help identify and respond to the needs of individuals in our custody.

Within just 24 hours of implementation, jail staff were notified of an inmate’s responses to a mental health questionnaire indicating potential suicidal thoughts. Within minutes, staff were able to discreetly speak with the individual about their mental health and assess their immediate needs.

As a result of that intervention, the individual has since been scheduled to speak with a mental health professional for additional support.

While technology can never replace the personal attention and care provided by our correctional staff and mental health professionals, tools like CidNet can help us identify concerns sooner and connect individuals with appropriate resources.

Early identification can lead to early intervention, and early intervention can make a difference.

The Webster County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and humane environment while connecting those in our custody with the resources they need.

09/12/2026

☀️ **A BIG thank you to Gold Line Support!** ☀️

We had the absolute pleasure of having Payton Jarviswith Gold Line Support make the LONG drive to come personally and present our dispatcher, **Katelyn**, with her **Sunshine Award!** 💛

We are so grateful that they took the time to make this award even more special by being here in person. It meant so much to Katelyn— and to all of us at Webster County 911!

Then, as if driving all that way and bringing Payton wasn't enough, they put together this **AWESOME video** to help celebrate Kaitlyn and the Sunshine Award. 🎥

Thank you, Gold Line Support, for recognizing the amazing people behind the headset and for going above and beyond to make them feel appreciated. We are lucky to have organizations like you supporting our dispatchers and the work they do every day.

**Congratulations, Katelyn!** You definitely bring a little sunshine to our center! 😎

09/02/2026

**SCAM ALERT**
We are again receiving reports of callers pretending to be deputies and advising individuals that they have warrants or that they missed jury duty and must pay a fine. Do not give these scammers ANY information!

08/27/2026

Yup! That’s our girl Katelyn ❤️
Thank you for your dedication and service to Webster County. 🫡

A Webster County 911 dispatcher was honored Wednesday by a national group that supports public safety telecommunications professionals. Katelyn Ganzeveld received the Sunshine Dispatcher Award from Gold Line Support. She is the first Iowa dispatcher to receive the honor. The Sunshine Dispatcher Awar...

08/15/2026

So… what actually happens when you call 911 for a medical emergency in Webster County? 🚨📞

The second a dispatcher answers, we're already working on your emergency. There’s a LOT happening behind the scenes while we're talking to you.

We’re verifying your location, figuring out what’s happening, entering information into CAD (computer Aided Dispatch), and getting the appropriate responders dispatched — often all at the same time. Frequently this involves multiple agencies such as life flight, PD, SO and Fire agencies along with medics.

We have several ways to locate a 911 caller, but technology occasionally likes to keep us humble. 😅 It doesn’t always work, which is why we verify your address with you. If you call on the non-emergent line instead of 911, we don’t have those same 911 mapping tools.

For medical calls, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) starts right away. While responders are being sent, we’re asking questions, gathering information, and giving instructions that can help the patient before anyone even reaches your door.

That might mean CPR, choking instructions, childbirth, trauma, basically anything you can think of!

And yes… sometimes you’ll think:

**“**Why are you asking me ALL these questions?! Just send someone!”

We get it. You’re having an emergency. You want help, not play 20 Questions.

But here’s the thing: those questions ARE part of the response.

While you’re talking to us, information is being entered into CAD and passed along to responders. They can start figuring out what their plan of action will be and be prepared before they arrive.

Once the EMD portion is complete, we move into pre-arrival instructions to help the patient and keep the scene safe until responders get there.

**We’re not just answering the phone. We’re coordinating the response from the moment you call until help arrives.** ❤️🚑🚒🚓

Send a message to learn more

07/12/2026

Heads up ‼️
There has been problems with our routine lines going through to dispatch. If you have an emergency please call 911 as our emergency line is still working.

06/12/2026

We had such a great time at Night to Unite!