Orange County Grand Jury
• 1999-2000
Dispatch Concerns at the Emergency Communications Bureau
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 5 findings
F1
The radio dispatchers who take 9-1-1 calls suffer fatigue from working long hours, and from stress for reasons stated under the heading, “Multi-Tasking.”
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Increase the number of radio dispatchers to 41 in order to reduce stress and fatigue, and to facilitate scheduling and reduce overtime.
F2
There is no immediate crisis counseling available to the radio dispatchers. 4
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Evaluate and adopt a Critical Incident Stress Management program to provide peer counseling to radio dispatchers following a traumatic event.
F3
Radio dispatchers do not have regular rest periods and customarily eat their lunch at their workspace. This may be inconsistent with the Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Orange and the Orange County Employees Association.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Establish rest period and lunch schedules for the dispatchers to reduce fatigue and stress and to ensure compliance with the current Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Orange and the Orange County Employees Association.
F4
Direct supervision of the radio dispatchers is provided by five sergeants. The sergeants are highly compensated because of their training and experience in law enforcement. Replacing sergeant supervisors with civilian supervisors would save approximately $237,500 per year, when implemented.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Promote from within and/or hire five civilian supervisors and reassign sergeants as the new supervisors become available.
F5
Having a civilian classification for supervising radio dispatcher would provide career advancement opportunities for radio dispatchers. There is no normal progression for them at this time.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Establish a civilian classification for radio dispatcher supervisor. 5