Mahaska County 911 Communications

09/28/2026

Mahaska County E911 Center is implementing a Special Needs Registry:

Law enforcement has been called on several times over the last year due to a community member locating a lost child. When the children are non-verbal, it makes it difficult to locate their loved ones quickly. This initiative aims to improve timely identification and safe recovery of individuals who wander or elope.

The Mahaska County Special Needs Registry is voluntary. The information collected is confidential and is entered into a secure database that is only accessible by the Mahaska County E911 Communications Center. Who will provide critical information to our public safety agencies; law enforcement, firefighters, and medics during an emergency.

The registry assists Mahaska County First Responders during critical incidents, the information provided will only be shared with the unit(s) handling that emergency situation. We encourage families to register their neurodivergent loved ones, especially those prone to elope/wander.

If you are the parent, primary caregiver or guardian and would like to register your loved one, please contact the Mahaska County E911 Communications Center at 641-673-0347 or [email protected]. Forms can be emailed to you or picked up at the Mahaska County Law Center, 214 High Ave E, Oskaloosa. The E911 Center is located in the basement.

Thank you for your assistance!

09/08/2026

MAHASKA COUNTY 911 COMMUNICATIONS
214 High Avenue East Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
641‐673-2562
[email protected]

Job Opportunity‐Telecommunicator

Mahaska County 911 Communications is seeking applications from qualified applicants to train as full-time and part-time Emergency Communications Telecommunicator for law enforcement, fire, and medical emergencies. This position will be responsible for specialized work in answering, receiving, transferring, and dispatching messages over a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system and public safety radio communications system.

Qualifications: Must be at least 18 years of age or older and possess a high school diploma or GED. Applicants will also be required to pass a written test. Prior experience is preferred, however thorough on the job training is provided. Must be able to multi-task, have great customer service skills, good listening skills. Strong work ethic and dedication to teamwork is a must. Shift work mandatory, which includes weekends, overnights and holidays.

Special requirements: Must reside within 25 miles of Oskaloosa within six months of hire unless waived or extended by the 911 Service Board. Within 6 months of hire, complete NCIC certification. Within one year of hire, complete ILEA telecommunicator training as well as Emergency Medical Dispatcher certification, CPR, and other courses.

Applicants must pass an in‐depth criminal background check and a drug screen. Applications must be received by October 6, 2026 close of business day . Applications can be picked up at the 911 Center or, on the mahaskaready.com/employment-opportunities or on the Mahaska County website (www.mahaskacountyia.gov).

Completed applications should be sent or emailed to:
Cheryl Eklofe, 911 Director
214 High Ave East Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
[email protected]

Mahaska County 911 Communications considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, s*x, s*xual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

08/23/2026

08/23/2026 update - The break has been repaired!! Thank you for your patience!!

We have been made aware of a large water main break near the intersection of 1st Ave W and S J St in Oskaloosa. The water department is working on this. Please be patient with them and avoid the area. We will update as soon as we are notified the repairs have been made!

08/12/2026

06/28/2026

If you have to be outside this week, please stay hydrated and take plenty of breaks!!

Here are the forecast heat index values through the week. At the moment, Sunday and Monday have the highest heat indices, though the extreme heat will linger through the end of the work week and through the holiday weekend. Take frequent breaks in A/C, drink plenty of water, and never leave children or pets in a car alone.

06/15/2026

If you have an emergency and you aren't able to get through on 911, please call 641-673-0347!! The phone companies are working to get the issue corrected as quickly as possible!

A warning for central Iowa residents: Some wireless 911 calls aren't reaching dispatch centers. 🚨 Officials are urging people to use a backup emergency number if they can't connect.

STORY: http://www.kcci.com/article/des-moines-911-outage-wireless-calls/71595292

06/11/2026

What a morning in Mahaska County.

Many residents woke up to thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and strong winds as a line of severe weather moved through the area. Conditions changed quickly, creating hazardous travel conditions and periods of reduced visibility across the county.

Residents may have also heard the outdoor warning sirens this morning. Sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors to seek shelter and obtain additional weather information.

As the weather clears, please continue to use caution around standing water, debris, and any storm-damaged areas. Remember: Turn Around, Don't Drown. Never drive through flooded roadways, as water depth and road conditions can be difficult to determine.

Thank you to everyone who stayed weather aware this morning. Events like today's storms are a good reminder to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, including weather radios, smartphone alerts, local media, and trusted weather apps.

With another round of storms coming through this afternoon, remain weather aware and be sure your alerts are working.
Photo Credit: Officer Nord, Oskaloosa Police Dept

06/10/2026

***Outdated Post***

There is a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe thunderstorms tonight, with the highest local risk expected in west and northwest Iowa. Storms are most likely to move through overnight between 10:00 PM tonight and 5:00 AM Wednesday, as a warm capping layer aloft keeps the severe threat before sunset very low (under 10%). The primary threats with this system are damaging winds and large hail up to half-dollar size (1.25 inches), with the highest risk of these hazards located over west/northwest Iowa. Secondary hazards include heavy rain capable of producing localized flash flooding or urban street ponding, along with a lower but still possible tornado threat mainly over western Iowa.

06/02/2026

Mahaska County Emergency Management would like to inform the public that a disaster exercise will be taking place tomorrow, June 3rd, in the northwest part of Mahaska County.

The exercise will occur between approximately 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Residents north of Peoria on Hwy T33 near Cordova Ave may notice an increased presence of emergency vehicles and personnel in the area during this time.

For safety and traffic flow purposes, motorists are encouraged to avoid the area if possible.

This is only an exercise and is part of ongoing preparedness and response training for local emergency services and partner agencies.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we work to strengthen community preparedness.

05/17/2026