Reinke named Deschutes 911 director
Steve Reinke has been hired as the Deschutes 9-1-1 Director and will start work Tuesday, September 2, the county announced Friday,
Reinke’s work experience includes serving as 9-1-1 Director for Kittitas County (Ellensburg, Washington), and Valley Communications Center (Kent, Washington); Interoperable Communications Manager for the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office, and as an Incident Review Center Manager for ShotSpotter.
“We are delighted to find someone of Steve’s caliber and experience to run our 9-1-1 agency,” aid Deschutes County Administrator Tom Anderson. “He has enjoyed tremendous success in overseeing two similar agencies in Washington State over his career, and we’re confident that he will be able to translate that success in guiding Deschutes County 9-1-1 to even greater heights.
“He clearly has the necessary technical background, but what impressed us the most was his ability to build and maintain positive relationships- both within the organization-and with external public safety stakeholders,” Andersona dded.
Reinke has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from City University-Seattle, and a Bachelor’s degree in Paramedical Health Services from Central Washington University.
Early in his career, Reinke was a Firefighter/Paramedic and a Deputy Sheriff, which gave him valuable perspective from both sides of the radio in all three disciplines served by 9-1-1 centers. He was also the project manager for the consolidation of four 9-1-1 centers in two counties into a single new organization. Steve views his leadership role as one of service to the public; his governing board and administrators; his agency co-workers and the area’s public-safety responders.
Steve and his wife of 29 years have a daughter, (who’s getting married next year), and they’re looking forward to exploring and enjoying Central Oregon’s many recreational opportunities.
The Deschutes County 9-1-1 Service District dispatches for 14 police and fire/emergency medical services agencies and works closely with the U.S. Forest Service, AirLink, Oregon State Police, and other State and Federal agencies.
