The Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) answering 9-1-1 for Portland and Multnomah County, Oregon. Please dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Joined November 2012
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336 Photos and videos
.@Oregonian has life-saving tips for early season river safety. One more: Know where you are in case you need help. Note your landmarks so first responders can find you in an emergency!
Heading to the river this weekend? Read this before you dive in - oregonlive.com/weather/2026/…
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Practice water safety! Wear a life vest and know where you are. If you call 9-1-1 for an emergency on the water, you will need to say where you are to help first responders reach you!
Jun 13
Water temperatures are still dangerously cold through most of the Northwest waterways. Please be careful in the water during the warm days coming up! Don't forget your life jacket!
You can find more information about cold water safety here:
weather.gov/safety/coldwater #ORwx #WAwx
ALT Cold water safety. Spring water conditions: periods of warm weather in the spring and early summer cause snowmelt to increase, causing rivers to run faster and colder than later in the summer. Dangers of cold water: cold water drains body heat up to 25x faster than cold air. It only takes water as cold as 60°F to cause dangerous physiological responses, even for confident swimmers. Cold water preparedness: wear a life jacket in and around water and dress for the water temp...not the air temp. Keep a close eye on children and pets near water. Know the signs of cold water shock.
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High temps are predicted by @NWSPortland for Sun & Mon.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
What to Do
• Call 911
• Move to an air-conditioned space
• Cool down gently with cold water, wet towels, and ice
More at publicalerts.org/heat.
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We will be joining our partners at the Fri-Yay Fair at East Portland Community Center's back lawn and track, 740 SE 106th Ave., from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 29. Let's kick off summer with safety and fun!
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Steve Mawdsley was named BOEC's long-term director today, after serving in an interim capacity since June 2025. More at portland.gov/911.
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We will be at this fun and supportive event from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 8 at Gresham City Hall, 1333 NW Eastman Pkwy. Please come say hi and learn about our work in your community.
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We received this commendation from community member Mary: "Congratulations on 911 being one the the best in the nation!" Mary, we received your message and it's our pleasure to serve you and the entire community with the highest level of medical dispatch. tinyurl.com/38v58dru
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Will we see you out and about this weekend? Look for BOEC at the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, organized by the Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 1 on the waterfront & at the Corbett Springfest on Saturday, May 2.
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Did you catch us on @KATUNews, sharing our news about gaining medical dispatch accreditation and forging our path to progress? katu.com/news/investigations…
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It was a pleasure to sit down with @KGWNews to share our story about our pathway to medical dispatch accreditation. kgw.com/article/news/investi…
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DEADLINE EXTENDED: Help Shape Our Future: We are recruiting community members to serve as volunteers on our User Board from West Portland, East Portland, and East Multnomah County. New deadline is May 3. More at Portland.gov/911/News.
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Did you hear us on @OPBTOL yesterday, discussing our elite accreditation in medical dispatch? We are so proud to provide consistent and top-level, life-saving care to our community. opb.org/article/2026/04/21/t…
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Telecommunicators Week 2026 is in the rearview but you can look back at all of our amazing partners who help keep our community a safer and more compassionate place. We appreciate you! vimeo.com/1183892750?fl=pl&f…
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On this final day of National Telecommunicators Week, take a look at our telecommunicators and team sharing our achievements with Portland City Council. youtube.com/watch?v=4J-Kh2hM…
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"Thank you, dispatch, for all your support!" - @greshamfiredept facebook.com/reel/1479346990…
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"Thanks, dispatch!" - @multco Emergency Medical Services and Tri-County Public Helath
Happy Telecommunicators Week!
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“Patrol couldn’t do what we do if it wasn’t for them and they’re with us every step of the way.” – @GreshamPolice
Happy Telecommunicators Week!
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If the @PortlandPolice Bike Squad had to work as 911 call takers: ”This is kinda hard….Happy Emergency Telecommunicators Week!” – Portland Police Central Bike Squad
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“We appreciate you! Thank you for all you do!” – Portland Street Response
Happy National Telecommunicators Week!
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"Thank you to our call takers & dispatchers who have stood together through challenging times in serving our community with professionalism and compassion. They provide life-saving service," said BOEC Interim Director Steve Mawdsley. Happy Telecommunicators Week!
Apr 16
Telecommunicators are the link between the community and fire, medical, mental health and law enforcement agencies. 9-1-1 telecommunicators often provide life-saving instructions over the phone and give first responders the critical information they need before they arrive on the scene.
The work of a 9-1-1 telecommunicator happens behind the scenes and out of the spotlight. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, from April 12 to 18, is an opportunity for these caring and talented call takers to be recognized for their dedication and professionalism.
"Thank you to our call takers and dispatchers who have stood together through challenging times in serving our community with professionalism and compassion. They provide life-saving service and take pride in their work. I am always proud of the professionals at BOEC who answer calls for help each and every day," said BOEC Interim Director Steve Mawdsley.
Visit the city’s website to learn about the Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) and National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
Portland.gov/911/News
#Portland #PublicSafety #Dispatchers #CallTakers
ALT Photo of a 9-1-1 telecommunicator, wearing a headset while sitting at a desk. Text reads “Thank you to the voices behind every emergency call. Happy National Telecommunicators Week. Portland.gov/911” City of Portland seal and wordmark.
ALT Collage of two photos: photo of two 9-1-1 telecommunicators at a desk working on a call. Photo of a call taker sitting at her desk, wearing a headset.
ALT Collage of two photos: photo of 9-1-1 telecommunicator sitting at this desk, looking at a map. Photo of Bob Cozzie, Deputy City Administrator for the Public Safety Service Area addressing the 9-1-1 call takers.
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