Cibola County Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Public Safety Complex

  • The new dispatch room offers more space to employees. The desks move up and down allowing dispatchers to stand or sit, there are also blue lights which assist dispatchers in dark lighting. Not pictured but there is a room that allows dispatchers to utilize while taking tough calls or dealing with tough situations. Arieanna Crowson CC
    The new dispatch room offers more space to employees. The desks move up and down allowing dispatchers to stand or sit, there are also blue lights which assist dispatchers in dark lighting. Not pictured but there is a room that allows dispatchers to utilize while taking tough calls or dealing with tough situations. Arieanna Crowson CC
  • The Sheriff's Department has a new bullpen. The bullpen allows deputies to work together with their own stations. Each desk has its own computer and drawers. The bull pen is included with other much needed improvements for the Sheriff's Department which include, an evidence storage that complies with state standards, a gym area, and a sallyport for bringing in suspects. Arieanna Crowson - CC
    The Sheriff's Department has a new bullpen. The bullpen allows deputies to work together with their own stations. Each desk has its own computer and drawers. The bull pen is included with other much needed improvements for the Sheriff's Department which include, an evidence storage that complies with state standards, a gym area, and a sallyport for bringing in suspects. Arieanna Crowson - CC

    GRANTS, NM – After years of planning, Cibola County has officially unveiled its new Public Safety Complex, a facility aimed at bolstering cooperation between the region's public safety departments.

    The comprehensive complex, split into three primary sections, is strategically located for swift access to Interstate 40. On August 4, Cibola County Manager Kate Fletcher took Cibola residents on a tour of the new facility. The complex is not yet complete, with construction still required on certain parts of the building. Because of the sensitive nature of the work done by these departments, the building will be mostly closed to the public. Fletcher said this is being done to protect the work being done by the county officials. She reminds residents that all public records remain available for inspection.

    The first section of the building is exclusively devoted to the Cibola County Regional Dispatch Center. With advanced security measures in place, this section ensures protection of sensitive data and the safety of its dispatchers. Dispatchers are provided with large, ergonomic desks that allow them to stand while working without ever having to bend over. Each dispatcher is provided with a blue light, several outlets for use, and an array of screens to maximize their comfort and productivity. This section includes a small room where dispatchers can decompress after a stressful or anxiety causing call.

    Cibola County Regional Dispatch Center Manager Mindy Cunnigham, said the move to the new building was necessary and would provide a nice home for the new center. CCRDC received funding to move their equipment years ago, but the state told them they would not be allowed to move their location once the new items are purchased, so the county waited until this facility could be constructed to move the dispatch center. Cibola County Manager Kate Fletcher thanked the state for its patience, and the citizens of Cibola for working with CCRCD this last weekend while they moved their equipment, causing a temporary disruption to 911 services.

    The second section serves as the Cibola County Fire Command. Under the leadership of Fire Marshal Dustin Middleton, this area is equipped a meeting room that can accommodate the different fire chiefs across Cibola, restrooms that feature showers, and a designated evacuation zone.

    Middleton said the complex will provide a centralized command hub during emergencies. Of note is that only one hall in this section is open to the public, with the remainder being secured.

    The Sheriff's Office of Cibola County occupies the third section. Noteworthy are its state-of-the-art technology upgrades, a secure evidence room, and a designated space for deputies termed the 'bullpen'. Additional features include a sallyport for detainee processing and a dedicated area for ammunition and firearms storage.

    Moving homes, CCSO is happy to be in the complex, Undersheriff Jeff Marez said. The old facility on McBride Road that CCSO shared with the Cibola County Magistrate Court was falling apart, with constant water and sewage issues and an inadequate evidence storage location.

    Employee welfare has also been considered, with the inclusion of break rooms and a small gym for all public safety staff.

    Beyond these core areas, the complex has a specialized conference room intended for training sessions. An upcoming initiative to establish a pharmacy is also underway, targeting assistance to EMTs in Cibola's more isolated, rural areas.

    Security remains a paramount concern. The facility incorporates two-factor authentication mechanisms, along with a fortified network infrastructure. Investments in IT security to better protect Cibola from cyberattacks has led to a significant reduction in the county's cybersecurity insurance costs, this is because the county is better protected from cyber threats than other governments Cibola’s size, according to Fletcher.

    On the financial front, Fletcher happily announced that the project’s cost, totaling $4.2 million, was funded entirely through grants and appropriations, with the state contributing $3.5 million. Middleton, the county's emergency manager, emphasized the new complex's role in fostering collaboration among emergency officials. The overarching sentiment is a push towards improved communication and collective action within the county's safety departments.

    This project, though faced with challenges such as material shortages, stands as a testament to Cibola County's commitment to public safety and effective governance.