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Ramsey County in search of 911 telecommunicators
County officials say they’re looking to fill 13 positions with pay ranging from $24.68 to $35.70 per hour.
RAMSEY COUNTY, Minn. — Minnesota’s largest emergency dispatch center is short-staffed. The Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center needs more than a dozen 911 telecommunicators and is now spreading the word on radio and TV. Those interested in the position are encouraged to apply by Monday, March 13.
Center director Nancie Pass says while public safety dispatchers share information with first responders heading to a scene, 911 telecommunicators take crucial first calls for help from the public.
“So we’re gathering information, we’re asking lots of questions to build a picture for the officer or firefighter or the ambulance driver that is responding to the scene,” Pass said.
Pass’ career in emergency communications stems back 30 years and over the years, some things have changed. For example, the public can now text 911 in addition to calling. Also, employees like Sasha Quandt can exercise on the job. She walks on a treadmill paid for by Ramsey County as she works at her standing desk.
Quandt has worked in the center for about eight years and, like Pass, she’s been promoted. She spent about a year working as a 911 telecommunicator before advancing to the public safety dispatcher position.
“Some of the harder aspects are talking to somebody when they’re having the worst day of their life,” Quandt said. “You have to really get your emotions under control because you’re a human being, too, and it’s easy to empathize with others … Whenever there’s somebody that’s in a life-threatening situation and they get out of it, that is huge for us.”
But there aren’t enough people taking those crucial first calls for help, Pass says, as there are currently 47 telecommunicators on staff. Sixty would be fully staffed.
“When we’re short-staffed, that means our current staff have to work harder,” Pass said. “Some people have left our organization because it is difficult. It’s hard to have that work-life balance when you have to work the extra hours.”
“We are hiring 911 telecommunicators,” she continued. “The position is open currently and it closes on March 13. We’re hoping to hire at least 13 people.”
Hourly pay ranges from $24.68 to $35.70 with night and weekend differential. Training is paid as well and lasts for at least eight weeks. Benefits include medical and dental insurance with single and family coverage options, retirement and deferred compensation plans, accrued vacation and sick time, and holiday pay. Employees also have protections under the Law Enforcement Labor Services union.
Pass also mentioned that there are employee support groups.
“It’s a peer-to-peer support for talking to somebody after having a hard call,” she said. “When you go home, you are going to have tough days. It’s going to be challenging but you can go home and you can sleep really well knowing that you helped people in your community.”
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Enrollment moves upward in Universities of Wisconsin system
MADISON, Wis. — Overall enrollment in the Universities of Wisconsin system’s four-year schools ticked upward this fall compared with last year, data released Tuesday shows.
The system released enrollment numbers as of the 10th day of the 2024 fall semester. They show overall enrollment stood at 164,431 students, up 1.2% from the 10th day of the 2023 fall semester.
UW-Green Bay saw 975 new students for a 10.5% increase in enrollment, the largest percentage jump among the 13 four-year schools. Enrollment at UW-Madison, the system’s flagship university, increased nearly 3%. UW-Superior, the most remote campus, in Douglas County in far northwestern Wisconsin, saw a 3.6% increase.
Five schools saw their enrollment shrink, including Eau Claire, Oshkosh, Parkside, Platteville and Stout.
Overall enrollment at the system’s two-year branch campuses fell 22%. The most dramatic drop-off was at UW-Stevens Point’s Marshfield campus, where enrollment plunged nearly 45% compared with fall 2023.
UW officials have blamed declining numbers of high school graduates and more graduates eschewing college for the workforce for faltering enrollment.
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Student at Anoka Technical College stabbed with screwdriver
An adult male was arrested after the incident.
ANOKA, Minn. — A student was stabbed in the hand at Anoka Technical College Tuesday, authorities said.
A spokesperson with the Anoka Police Department told KARE 11 that officers were dispatched early in the afternoon. At the school, it was learned a student was stabbed in the hand with a screwdriver.
An adult male was taken into custody, officials said. The student was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Anoka Technical College said in a statement that safety and security is the top priority for everyone on campus:
Just before noon today, an incident occurred between two students at Anoka Technical College, in the automotive lab, resulting in one of the students receiving an injury to the hand. The Anoka Police Department responded and took the suspect into custody. The victim was treated by on-campus security officers before going to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
At Anoka Technical College, our top priority is the safety and security of everyone on campus. This incident is being investigated by the college and local law enforcement. Support services are available for students and employees impacted by this situation.
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BCA identifies man shot by police in St. Paul
The BCA said the 40-year-old man was still hospitalized at Regions Hospital on Tuesday.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Police have identified the man shot and injured by officers after pointing a gun at police on Monday evening.
According to a press release from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Earl Bennett, 40, was shot by police near Allianz Field.
Officials said Bennett does not have a permanent address but has been staying in the Twin Cities Metro area.
Bennett is hospitalized in critical but stable condition at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
The incident started just before 7:45 p.m. Monday when police were called to the 400 block of Pierce Street for reports of shots fired. Officers found a man with a handgun when they responded to the scene.
St. Paul police spokesman Sgt. Mike Ernster told reporters on Monday night that when officers approached the man, he put the gun to his own head. Police began to negotiate with the man for a peaceful surrender, but he reportedly refused to drop the weapon, instead walking south on Snelling Avenue.
Police attempted to use “less lethal” means to subdue Bennett, but when he lifted his handgun and pointed it at police, multiple officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect.
The BCA said it is in the early stages of its investigation.
All the officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
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