by ECC Editor | Apr 29, 2022 | Comm Center News
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler will propose funding in the annual budget adjustment next week to beef up staffing for the city’s 311 line, in an effort to divert a portion of non-emergency calls away from 911 dispatchers at the Bureau of Emergency Communications, who currently field Portlanders’ non-emergency calls.
The proposal, if funding is approved, would expand 311′s hours, capacity and staffing. The goal, according to the mayor’s office, is to divert up to 180,000 non-emergency calls per year from 911 dispatchers to the 311 call line… READ MORE
by AllThingsECC.com | Apr 29, 2022 | Comm Center News
There’s a new program in Volusia County to properly handle 911 calls from people having a mental health crisis. Sheriff Mike Chitwood points to an increase in mental health reports and says too often, they end tragically.The sheriff says about half of the 60,000 calls dispatch gets a month are substance abuse or mental-health related.A new crisis counselor will help dispatchers so that they have a better chance at getting the right resources where they’re needed.It’s the lifeline for callers who are in danger, charging the person who answers to act fast in hopes of saving them.”The person knows that it’s a recorded line and they leave their last will testament and then they take their life and the dispatcher is on the line,” Chitwood said.Chitwood says, typically, it’s police officers responding to these crises…
by ECC Editor | Apr 29, 2022 | Comm Center News
SAN ANTONIO — Every week night while most of the city sleeps, Martin Olivares is on the streets.
The photographer for Metro Video News shoots video of most major overnight crime and crash scenes in the San Antonio area.
But Olivares said lately he has been spinning his wheels.
He has been seeing an increase in the number of prank calls for emergency services… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Apr 29, 2022 | Comm Center News
The new budget Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed sweeps $5 million out of the statewide 9-1-1 fund to start up a new number for mental health emergencies.
The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) say the sweep was done without the knowledge of law enforcement groups and they have concerns of negative consequences to local 911 operations around the state.
The budget package lawmakers approved in the early morning hours on the final day of session earlier this month creates the Statewide 9-8-8 Trust Fund. The Department of Human Services will use the fund to establish and maintain a suicide prevention and mental health crisis system… READ MORE
by AllThingsECC.com | Apr 29, 2022 | Comm Center News
BLOOMINGTON – Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter recently announced the promotion of Region III Dispatcher Tracy L. Young to Dispatch Supervisor to serve at the Bloomington Regional Dispatch Center. She was chosen after a competitive promotion process that included a structured interview and review of her overall work performance.
Tracy’s primary responsibilities will be to supervise Regional Dispatch Center personnel on assigned shifts which include evaluating performance, training, and scheduling subordinate personnel. She will also ensure shift dispatchers maintain constant contact with Troopers in the field and keep the post commander aware of all activity…
