COM 0521.037 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Too all Council Members: Fire Dispatch Supervisory Positions (additional personnel) Emergency Center Coordination of Operations: There is a need for better coordination and manpower in the Dispatch Center for emergencies: The dispatchers have SOP's to follow and a general system of operations, but they are easily exceeded when overload occurs. There is usually no supervisor on hand (evenings, nights, weekends, and often on day shift) to make critical workload decisions, leaving dispatchers to negotiate with each other how to operate. This system is inefficient during crisis periods (multiple or major alarms) as there is no time available to create a cohesive plan of action. Dispatchers do the best they can, but this creates a potential for mistakes (missing or incomplete information leading to delayed or wrong assignments, etc.). Example: Dispatchers having to debate what units should be sent when the regular units are busy. Another example: A dispatcher sends the wrong unit that is already in use as the other dispatcher was unable to keep up and enter the information in the computer. These problems consume precious time, and may delay aid to the public. 2. Dispatcher Dedication to Major Alarms: There is an inability to dedicate a dispatcher to a major emergency (like the recent plane crash): The dispatchers have to keep abreast of all the emergencies at the same time, but when there are too many alarms there may be no dispatcher with a complete picture of the major emergency. This may cause repetition of assignments or inquiries, or may lead to improper, incomplete or conflicting information being disseminated (to command officers, to other agencies, and to the public). Insufficient Staffing to Answer or Handle All Emergency Calls: With two dispatchers on 911 calls simultaneously (or occasionally 1 dispatcher working alone), they can only take one call at a time. This leaves no one dedicated to handling radio communications and dispatching or able to answer other calls. (Example: Recently when I was alone I received a not breathing call and had to cut it short to take a structure fire call). I was unable to give complete CPR instructions due to the workload which included dispatching units, radio communications, etc.). 4. Dropped 911 cell calls: If we are too busy, we are unable to take the time to trace the call (this procedure is time consuming, may take hours for a response, and often is not fruitful). Increased workload, with insufficient manpower just aggravates other conditions listed herein. In 1991, I recall the dispatch center with approximately 10,000 alarms per year. We had 9 dispatchers at the time and some shifts had only one dispatcher on duty. Last year we had 16,064 alarms with a mandatory 2 on duty coverage. Although we now have 12 positions, 1 position is vacant, 2 dispatchers are on long term industrial/sick leave, 1 dispatcher is on vacation, and 2 new dispatchers are training (takes a year). This leaves a real working force of 6 dispatchers to cover 2 positions 24/7. **see the schedule**