Webster County Dispatch

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!

05/13/2026

Today was all about teamwork, training, and a little controlled chaos as we participated in a full-scale airport disaster drill! 🚨✈️
Multiple agencies came together with one shared mission — keeping our community safe and making sure we’re prepared for whatever comes our way. These trainings are so important in our line of work. Technology is constantly changing, procedures evolve, and drills like this help keep everyone sharp and ready to respond when it matters most.
Dispatch had the opportunity to operate out of the Mobile Command Unit, and we want to give a huge thank you to DPS for providing it for today’s exercise. It was a great day of learning, collaboration, and strengthening the partnerships that help keep our community safe every day.

05/11/2026

PRESS RELEASE:
AIRPORT FULL SCALE DISASTER DRILL EXERCISE
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Fort Dodge, Iowa – The Fort Dodge Regional Airport will conduct a required full-scale emergency disaster drill on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m. This exercise is part of the airport’s ongoing commitment to safety, preparedness, and compliance with federal aviation requirements.
The drill will simulate a realistic emergency scenario involving an aircraft incident and will include coordination among multiple emergency response agencies.

“This full-scale exercise is critical to ensuring that all responding agencies are prepared to act quickly and effectively in the event of a real emergency,” said Airport Director Sarah Rustvold. “Training under realistic conditions helps strengthen coordination and enhances the safety of our passengers, staff, and community.”

As part of the exercise, a controlled live fire will be ignited and extinguished by trained personnel to test response effectiveness and ensure proper emergency procedures are followed. Residents and businesses in the surrounding area may notice increased emergency vehicle activity, smoke, and visible flames during the exercise. The public is advised that this is only a drill and there is no cause for alarm.

The drill will not interfere with the scheduled United Airlines flight to Chicago that afternoon.

05/07/2026

Thank you Webster County Jail for your service! ❤️

Please thank our unsung heros behind the scenes keeping Webster County safe. To our Correctional Officers at the Webster County Jail and the FDCF: thank you for your service!

04/18/2026

Heeeyyyy Webster County! It’s the final countdown 🏆
It’s down to two videos and we need your help deciding who the winner is! Is it going to be Webster County Sheriff's Office with a cameo from Iowa State Patrol? Or is it going to be Pancheros Mexican Grill? If you missed the videos you can go back on the dispatch page and watch them. Both were great but only can be the reigning champion! Like, share and vote!
Thank you SOS for putting together these great videos ❤️

04/17/2026

Thank you Availa Bank for visiting us and dropping lunch off. Thank you for supporting your local dispatchers - it really means a lot to us ❤️