Metro Communications Director Paul Niedringhaus provided an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the 9-1-1 emergency center in a presentation to The Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls, Monday, June 5. Niedringhaus, using a remote video feed, lead the audience on a virtual tour of the secure facility located adjacent to the Minnehaha County Jail.
Niedringhaus has overall responsibility for dispatching 9-1-1 emergency services in Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County. He explained operations and management of the consolidated city-county public safety communications center.
Niedringhaus has overall responsibility for dispatching 9-1-1 emergency services in Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County. He explained operations and management of the consolidated city-county public safety communications center.
“As a 911 agency, many times our community does not understand the impact and responsibilities at Metro Communications,” Niedringhaus said. “Any public attention to our agency helps educate our community.”
Niedringhaus earned bachelors in criminal justice from Augustana University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Niedringhaus joined the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department in 1990, rose to the rank of captain and spent 16 years overseeing the Investigation Division and SWAT team. After 26 years of service, Niedringhaus retired from the Sheriff’s Department in September 2016 and was hired as director of Metro Communications.
Program Highlights: June 5, 2017
Niedringhaus earned bachelors in criminal justice from Augustana University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Niedringhaus joined the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department in 1990, rose to the rank of captain and spent 16 years overseeing the Investigation Division and SWAT team. After 26 years of service, Niedringhaus retired from the Sheriff’s Department in September 2016 and was hired as director of Metro Communications.
Program Highlights: June 5, 2017
- Mr. Niedringhaus started as Director in 2016, coming from a 16-year career in law enforcement.
- Metro Communications was established in 1980, run by the SF Police Department, then Minnehaha County, and in 2008 becoming its own entity.
- It is funded by the City and the County and the 911 surcharge.
- Metro serves 250,000 people; takes 300,000 calls a year; 85,000 of those calls are 911 emergency.
- Metro is a 24-hour service; is 50/50 males and females; employs 48 people. It takes 25 weeks to train a dispatcher.
- Types of calls taken: thousands of 911 hang ups; disorderly behavior; accidents; well-being; dangerous drivers; larcenies; family disputes.
Next Week’s Program:
J. Tyler Haahr, CEO MetaBank—Meta Financial Group, Inc.