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911 center reports steady call volume, RapidSOS adoption and looming capital costs
Summary
The Sweetwater Combined Communications Center reported roughly 14,800 911 voice calls in 2024, high wireless-call shares and increasing GPS location accuracy, while outlining several planned capital replacements including a possible $1.7 million radio console replacement.
David Halter, information-technology director for the Sweetwater Combined Communications Center, presented the center’s 2024 annual report to the Rock Springs City Council on Feb. 4, saying that 9-1-1 voice calls returned to the 14,000 range after a one-year spike.
Halter said the center received 14,813 9-1-1 voice calls in 2024. He told council members that 90.64% of calls originated from wireless devices and that phase 2 cellular location data now covers roughly 90% of calls. RapidSOS — which supplies device GPS location data to dispatch centers — is now present on nearly 82% of calls, up from 47% in 2019, Halter said.
The center recorded 78,053 total calls for service in 2024; Rock Springs Police Department accounted for 28,032 calls (about 36% of the total). Halter said 4,266 calls were transferred to the Wyoming Highway Patrol and that 911 text messages numbered 68 last year. He reported that mobile data terminal (in-vehicle laptop) usage by officers has reduced radio and phone traffic.
Halter described public-facing features and outreach: Smart911 safety profiles (737 active profiles) and facility profiles for businesses to upload floor plans and hazard details. He said the center provides voice and text 911, dispatch services, online jail-roster hosting and after-hours emergency call-outs for city public works departments.
On capital needs, Halter said the center recently completed a server replacement and is due to replace three more servers this year. He said a data-center uninterruptible power supply (UPS) in Green River will likely cost about $150,000 and that a future radio-console replacement (Motorola support ends after 2029) could be about $1.7 million; he suggested spreading that cost over five years. The center has received a YDOT grant to replace eight console radios.
During questions, Ken Zozotti asked whether the reduced call volume would lower the center’s budget request; Halter said rising software and replacement costs mean the budget request will not fall. City staff confirmed several line-item amounts and said some budget figures include encumbered (contracted but unpaid) spending rolled from the previous fiscal year.
Halter said the center implemented multi-factor authentication and continues projects to modernize microwave links and other infrastructure. He asked council members to expect larger capital requests in coming budget cycles and offered to meet individually with council members to review the five-year capital-replacement plan.
