Red River Regional Dispatch Center

Challenge

The Red River Regional Dispatch Center (RRRDC) in Cass County, North Dakota, faced growing pressure to keep up with increasing emergency call volumes, accommodate future staffing needs, and ensure the safety of dispatch staff across several partner jurisdictions: the City of Fargo and Cass County, North Dakota; and the City of Moorhead and Clay County, Minnesota. The existing facility had outgrown its capacity, lacked essential safety features, and was not equipped to withstand extreme weather events or extended power outages, putting both operations and lives at risk during emergencies. 

Solution

Cass County and the RRRDC team worked with SEH to develop a facility focused on durability and the ability to function independently in emergency situations. The building is engineered to withstand wind speeds up to 200 mph, ensuring the dispatch center remains operational during extreme weather, protecting staff and guaranteeing uninterrupted emergency response for the community. Redundant power generation, HVAC, and water systems enable the facility to operate for a minimum of 72 hours, ensuring continuous communication and response even in the face of natural disasters or large-scale outages.

Optimized for Staff Comfort

The 15,000 square foot center houses 20 fully equipped dispatch consoles and six training consoles, giving the team both operational strength and in-house flexibility. The facility is designed to provide cross-state service while operating as an independent entity, with its own staff and day-to-day management rather than being run by the agencies it supports. Through a Joint Powers Agreement, which allows cities, counties, and special districts to share services and authority, the RRRDC provides coordinated law enforcement, fire, and medical dispatch across two states.

Inside, staff have access to a large training room, administrative offices, dedicated mechanical and IT rooms, a kitchen, and wellness areas that support people working high-stress shifts. The center also includes calming design elements, such as natural light on the dispatch floor, dimmable lighting, and spaces for quiet breaks. Tinted, bulletproof exterior glass provides secure views to the outside while maintaining privacy, supporting focus, and enhancing strong job performance.

Future-Ready and Scalable

With a layout designed for adaptability, the center can accommodate future staff growth and evolving technology needs. Thoughtful infrastructure planning, such as an elevated floor that creates space below for wiring and HVAC ducts, future space for IT servers, and future administration spaces, ensures that additional consoles or system upgrades can be added without disruption to daily operations. This future-focused design provides long-term value to the five partner jurisdictions, positioning them to meet the region’s emergency communication demands for decades to come. 

Strengthening Regional Emergency Response

This $15.7 million dollar facility represents a lasting investment in safety, reliability, and operational excellence for Cass County and its regional partners. With resilient infrastructure, flexible design, and a focus on staff well-being, it strengthens the region’s ability to respond quickly and effectively in any situation. Built to support both current and future demands, the center ensures uninterrupted service, enhances collaboration, and provides long-term value to the communities it serves.