Case Study: Columbia County achieves modernized 9-1-1 dispatch and improved public safety with Zetron's MAX Dispatch

Columbia County Improves Public Safety with Zetron’s MAX Dispatch System

Columbia County, WA, a largely rural jurisdiction and primary PSAP handling about 22,000 annual 9‑1‑1 calls and dispatch for 22 agencies, faced aging communications: a legacy ESINet, a deteriorating radio system, and an outdated call-taking platform while preparing to migrate to NG9‑1‑1 i3 ESINet. The county had already replaced its old phone system with Zetron’s IP-based MAX Call Taking but still needed to fund and coordinate a radio upgrade, dispatch center remodel, and a seamless cutover to next‑gen services without interrupting 9‑1‑1 operations.

Zetron implemented its MAX Dispatch system alongside the existing MAX Call Taking platform (staged and installed via partner Industrial Communications), integrated with the new ESINet II and concurrent radio upgrades. The solution included intuitive dispatcher training, standards-based radio and LTE push‑to‑talk interfaces, and unit‑tracking/playback features that improved officer safety; Columbia County completed the transition with zero lost 9‑1‑1 calls, reduced the number of vendors and maintenance contracts, and achieved next‑gen compatibility within the original budget.

Columbia County

Lisa Caldwell

County Emergency Manager