Approved 911 Bill Addresses Severe Understaffing
Retired first responders are exactly the experts and committed public servants we need to supplement overworked 911 call takers and dispatchers.
The Council unanimously passed legislation December 5 that would address severe understaffing at the 911 emergency dispatch center by removing a pension penalty that discourages retired fire and EMS workers from taking positions there. Councilmember Nadeau joined Councilmember Christina Henderson in co-introducing the bill. The 911 call center that residents of the District and first responders rely on, is dangerously understaffed. The office reported that in October, 45 percent of shifts – nearly half – did not meet the staffing target.
Below are Councilmember Nadeau's remarks delivered at the Council Legislative Meeting on December 5.
REMARKS
When a person calls 911 for a medical emergency, fire or a crime they need to know that someone will pick up the phone, that the dispatcher will understand what their emergency is and dispatch it correctly, and that they will receive help quickly.
This is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of District government and something that is critical to improving public safety.
The Office of Unified Communications, the 911 call center that residents of the District – and our first responders – rely on, is dangerously understaffed. The Office reported that in October, 45% of shifts – nearly half – did not meet the staffing target.
Staffing is an issue, as we know, at other agencies, including MPD, where even significant bonuses and other incentives are not enough to fill positions with qualified officers, and the crime lab, too. The bottom line is that staffing in many of our public safety agencies is a challenge and the District must look at recruitment and staffing in innovative ways to supplement the traditional methods that have been used.
I proposed legislation last week that would use 911 call center staff more efficiently – transferring fire and emergency medical calls to a new Fire and EMS call center for better effectiveness and efficiency. That legislation will cost money and will take time to implement.
Councilmember Henderson’s proposed legislation is another way to fill the ranks at OUC, and because it doesn’t cost anything, has the advantage of being something that the Council can do now to make a positive change.
Retired first responders are exactly the experts and committed public servants we need to supplement overworked 911 call takers and dispatchers.
This exemption would give OUC access to a new pool of candidates who would help the 911 center maintain minimum staffing levels for 911 call takers and dispatchers and bring the expertise and knowledge that they acquired over decades on the front lines.
I will be voting yes on this bill; I also want to continue working on ways to recruit for all of our public safety agencies and pursuing changes to how agencies operate that can reduce the burden on employees and result in stronger outcomes.