San Bernardino County celebrates ribbon-cutting of Valley Communications Center

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On Tuesday, county officials celebrated the grand opening of the Valley Communications Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to strengthen emergency communications, enhance coordination among public safety agencies and support faster, more effective emergency response throughout the region.

The approximately 75,000-square-foot facility will bring together the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services’ Emergency Operations Center, the Sheriff’s Department Valley Dispatch Center and Consolidated Fire Agencies (CONFIRE) dispatch operations. The Valley Communications Center will serve as a hub for daily emergency communications while supporting large-scale incident management efforts during wildfires, floods, earthquakes, severe storms and other major incidents.

“The ability to have the County Office of Emergency Services, the Sheriff’s Department’s dispatch center and CONFIRE dispatch operations working together under one roof is tremendous,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe. “The Valley Communications Center will support faster response, more effective planning, stronger coordination and sustained operations during emergencies.”

The facility represents a significant investment in public safety infrastructure and regional preparedness. By co-locating emergency management and public safety dispatch operations, the center improves information sharing, situational awareness and coordination among agencies responsible for protecting residents across San Bernardino County’s more than 20,000 square miles.

“San Bernardino County faces a wide range of emergencies, from floods and storms to earthquakes and wildfires,” said Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. “It’s not just about technology. It’s about giving our dispatchers, emergency management personnel and first responders the best possible environment so they can take care of our communities when it matters most.”

At the heart of the Valley Communications Center is a modern Emergency Operations Center where county departments, public safety agencies and community partners will coordinate resources and response efforts during emergencies. The facility also includes a Joint Information Center, allowing communications teams to work alongside operational leaders to provide timely, accurate and consistent information to the public.

“The Valley Communications Center represents a new chapter in how we care for one another,” said Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez. “It equips us with modern systems that will turn confusion into clarity and delays into decisive action. This is a major investment in preparedness, coordination and public trust.”

Over the past decade, the county’s Emergency Operations Center has activated nearly 70 times in response to wildfires, major winter storms and other emergencies. Drawing on lessons learned from those incidents, the Valley Communications Center has been designed to support emergency management operations and coordination efforts during incidents of all sizes.

Built at a cost of $125.6 million, the facility represents a major investment in public safety and emergency management. Funding for the project included $106 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), $19 million in county discretionary general funding and approximately $600,000 in funding from participating agencies, including the County Office of Emergency Services, Sheriff’s Department and CONFIRE.

“When this project began, the Board of Supervisors made a commitment to build for the future, not just for today’s needs,” said Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman. “This facility was designed to evolve alongside emerging technology and strengthen our ability to respond to emergencies going forward.”

The Valley Communications Center also enhances collaboration among the many agencies and organizations involved in emergency response throughout the county. In addition to housing emergency management personnel, the facility will serve as a central coordination center for county departments, local jurisdictions, public safety agencies, state and federal partners, nonprofit organizations and trained volunteers during large-scale activations.

“The Valley Communications Center is strengthening those partnerships by bringing key public safety and emergency coordination functions closer together,” said Crisanta Gonzalez, director of emergency management for the County Office of Emergency Services. “This facility provides the space, technology and coordination needed to bring partners together, share information and support a unified response.”

The Sheriff’s Department Valley Dispatch Center will house approximately 121 dispatch personnel and 58 dispatch and 9-1-1 call-taking terminals. During the previous year, the Sheriff’s Department dispatch operations handled more than 178,000 emergency 9-1-1 calls and more than 560,000 calls for service across nine jurisdictions, including seven cities that contract with the Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement services.

Equipped with advanced communications technology, the Sheriff’s Department dispatch center includes a modern Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system integrated with 9-1-1 dispatch and call-taking terminals, Next Generation 911, Text-to-911, live drone feeds, automated license plate readers, ShotSpotter and enhanced situational awareness systems.

“It’s important that our dispatchers have the updated work environment, technology and resources they deserve,” said Sheriff Shannon Dicus. “Providing real-time information to first responders is critical during an emergency, and the capabilities housed in this center will help strengthen public safety and support the communities we serve.”

CONFIRE’s regional dispatch operations processes approximately 383,000 emergency 9-1-1 calls annually and will coordinate fire and emergency medical responses for contracted jurisdictions in the region. The center will utilize a modern Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system along with real-time feeds from drones, wildfire cameras and traffic systems. These tools, combined with integrated medical and behavioral health professionals, will help dispatch personnel to rapidly assess incidents and direct the appropriate response to residents — whether fire, emergency medical services or mental health support.

“People often see the fire engine, ambulance or law enforcement officer responding to an emergency,” said Nathan Cooke, interim director of CONFIRE. “What they do not always see are the dispatchers, communications personnel and support staff who answer the call, coordinate resources and bring order to chaotic situations in real time. That work starts here.”

Designed for continuous operations and long-term resilience, the Valley Communications Center is staffed and equipped to support emergency response 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The facility was built to remain operational during natural disasters and other major incidents through self-sustaining power, water and communications systems.

Features include 33 triple friction pendulum seismic isolators that allow up to 12 feet of lateral movement during a major earthquake, two 1,000-kilowatt backup generators, two 20,000-gallon on-site water storage tanks and a 192-foot communications tower. Additionally, the building is LEED Gold certified and features a 700-kilowatt solar energy system.

“This facility was purpose-built to operate around the clock, every day of the year,” said Moe Yosif, county deputy executive officer and interim director of the County Projects and Facilities Management Department. “More than a building, the Valley Communications Center represents our commitment to protecting lives, safeguarding communities and ensuring the continuity of operations when our residents need us.”

The facility also includes wellness amenities to support employees working extended shifts during emergencies, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, locker rooms, showers, quiet rooms, lactation rooms and industrial kitchens. Flexible workspaces and training rooms were designed to accommodate future technology upgrades and evolving operational needs.

County officials concluded the ceremony with a ribbon cutting and tours showcasing the facility’s emergency operations capabilities and advanced communications technology.

“By bringing together emergency management, law enforcement and fire dispatch operations in a centralized location, the Valley Communications Center will serve as a cornerstone of San Bernardino County’s emergency response network and help safeguard communities for decades to come,” said county CEO Luther Snoke.

Additional County Update News – June 4, 2026