communications
The Nottoway Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center serves as the central lifeline for public safety across our 316 square mile county, home to approximately 15,632 residents. As the first point of contact in an emergency, our center provides the critical link between the community and the law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel who respond to calls for help. Every moment matters, and our dispatchers are trained to deliver calm, accurate, and compassionate service under pressure.
Our communications unit is staffed by a dedicated team of 11 full time dispatchers, supported by several part time personnel who help maintain operational resilience. The center’s leadership structure includes two Lead Dispatchers, one Communications Supervisor, and a Director of Emergency Communications, ensuring consistent oversight, mentorship, and accountability. This layered leadership model strengthens decision making, supports professional development, and ensures that every shift has access to experienced guidance.
To maintain the highest level of service, the center is always staffed by two trained dispatchers, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This staffing standard ensures that call taking and radio operations remain efficient, safe, and responsive—even during high volume incidents or complex emergencies. Our team works collaboratively to balance workloads, maintain situational awareness, and provide seamless support to deputies and partner agencies in the field.
The Nottoway Dispatch Center is proud to provide Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), enabling our personnel to deliver lifesaving pre arrival instructions during medical emergencies. Whether guiding CPR, controlling bleeding, or assisting with childbirth, our dispatchers are trained to offer immediate, structured support while coordinating the arrival of EMS units. This capability enhances survival outcomes and strengthens the chain of care for our community. In addition to EMD, all dispatchers are certified through Total Response in both Law Enforcement Dispatch (LED) and Fire Service Dispatch (FSD), ensuring consistent, protocol‑driven call handling across all incident types.
In our commitment to continuous improvement, we have recently incorporated Total Response into our Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. This advanced call taking protocol enhances consistency, accuracy, and prioritization across all call types. By standardizing the questions asked and the information gathered, Total Response ensures that every caller receives the same high quality service and that responding units receive the most complete and reliable information possible.
Every call that comes into our center is handled by dispatchers who understand the importance of their role and the impact their actions have on the community. Our team shows up day after day to manage emergencies, support field units, and keep information moving where it needs to go. While the work is demanding and often unpredictable, our dispatchers continue to learn, adapt, and do their part to ensure that help reaches those who need it. Their commitment to showing up and serving the public forms the backbone of our communications center.
The Nottoway Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center remains committed to excellence, innovation, and service. Through strong leadership, modern technology, and a team of highly skilled communications professionals, we continue to provide dependable, compassionate, and effective emergency communications to the citizens of Nottoway County.