by ECC Editor | Dec 9, 2021 | Comm Center News
Durham’s new mayor will begin working with a local community college to help fill ongoing staff shortages in the city and county’s 911 center. Speaking at her first news conference as mayor Wednesday, Elaine O’Neal said she will meet with City Manager Wanda Page, Emergency Communications Director Randy Beeman and Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton about creating a pipeline of students or residents to fill call-taker vacancies and improve response times. The News & Observer asked O’Neal in an interview how the collaboration came about… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Dec 9, 2021 | Comm Center News
The Lawrence County Emergency Services Board recently learned from Director Bonnie Witt-Schulte of an unaccounted source of income.
“The use tax monies, collected for online purchases from out of state, are earmarked for 911,” she said. “Lawrence County has been receiving these funds, but as of yet, the commission has not turned them over to this board.”
In total, there is approximately $381,000 in the fund… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Dec 8, 2021 | Comm Center News
City directors will hear an update concerning the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) consolidation on Tuesday during the city board meeting.
In 2019, the state legislature adopted Act 660, which replaced the Arkansas Telephone Emergency Services Board with the Arkansas 911 Board, according to a staff report prepared by City Administrator Phillip Patterson on Nov. 30.
The act requires the board develop a plan by January of 2022 to provide funding for a limited number of PSAPs, which are generally referred to as state 911 call centers, the report states… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Dec 7, 2021 | Comm Center News
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many people. Those who work in 911 communication centers say they are feeling and hearing it.
While many calls are crime related, mental and behavioral health calls are also coming in, and employees say it seems like they are getting more of them. Working in a 911 communication center can be a difficult job. So the Colorado Springs Police department is making mental health a priority for their employees.
“We want to break the stigma that mental health is just as important as physical health,” said Sgt. Frederic… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Dec 7, 2021 | Comm Center News
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – El Paso 911 telecommunicators are dealing with employee shortages, with 911 call takers having to work overtime to ensure that the call center always has at least minimum staffing.
“Were also using our uniform personal on the fire and police department side to come in and work overtime so we can give a break to those telecommunications who are out there working,” said El Paso Assistant Fire Chief Jonathan Killings.
Officials say the goal is for 90 percent of all 911 calls to be answered within 10 seconds, but that if there is a high influx of calls you may hear this message… READ MORE
