Keith Norman has worked as a computer programmer and operator for the Stutsman County Courthouse and City Hall, been an office manager for a medical clinic and a radio talk show host before working as a reporter for The Jamestown Sun.
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Stutsman County waiting on 911 equipment
Stutsman County Communications Center experienced a failure of its 911 equipment last week even as the agency waits for new equipment that is past due. Written By: Keith Norman | ×
Andrew Kirking is the new Stutsman County emergency manager replacing Jerry Bergquist, who is retiring at the end of June. John M. Steiner / The Sun
Replacing the aging 911 equipment in the Stutsman County Communications Center has been on the to-do list since May 2020. The need for that equipment update became more obvious when it failed for about 24 hours last week, according to Jerry Bergquist, Stutsman County emergency manager and 911 coordinator.
JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Stutsman County conducted a simulated county-wide tornado exercise Wednesday morning, April 28th as part of Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week.
The exercise began at 11:15 a.m. simulating what occurs locally when a tornado warning is issued by the National Weather Service.
“The goal of the exercise was to test the Communications Center’s internal notification procedures county-wide including the testing of area community siren systems,” Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist stated. “The siren systems for Jamestown, Buchanan, Cleveland, Medina and Streeter were tested. Except for the City of Streeter, all siren systems proved to be operational and ready for the summer weather season. Streeter officials were made aware of the siren malfunction.”
Another part of the preparedness for the county includes testing tornado sirens. Bergquist says they will conduct siren tests at around 11:15 AM Wednesday, April 28th. This will activate sirens in Jamestown, Buchanan, Cleveland, Medina, and Streeter to ensure they are working correctly.
Because the National Weather Service will not directly be involved with the exercise, the simulated warning will not be broadcast through the National Weather Service all-hazards weather radio system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) for local AM/FM radio stations and cable television providers will not be activated.
The Stutsman Alert’s notification system powered by Everbridge will also not be activated for this test.