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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
⚠️ 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 16 findings
F1
Page 41
Chronic understaffing necessitates excessive overtime, creating stress and negative morale.
F2
Page 41
Public Safety Dispatchers II (PSDII) have a disproportionate overtime burden because they are qualified for all dispatcher functions.
F3
Page 41
The amount of overtime required of PSDIIs is a disincentive for Public Safety Dispatchers I (PSDI) to advance.
F4
Page 41
Current recruitment efforts are inconsistent and limited, thus contributing to unfilled dispatcher positions and excessive overtime.
F5
Page 41
The limit of four training slots restricts the number of vacancies that can be filled in a training cycle.
F6
Page 41
Training efforts are not standardized among the trainers resulting in an inconsistent training program.
F7
Page 41
The SHASCOM Board has not effectively dealt with the overtime and recruitment issues which have caused chronic staffing problems.
F8
Page 41
Overtime and staffing issues limit SHASCOM’s ability to timely comply with all Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) accreditation requirements. 28
F9
Page 42
The Computer- Aided Dispatch (CAD) system does not satisfactorily meet the needs of Redding Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services (ambulances) which causes dispatch and first responder complications.
F10
Page 42
SHASCOM has no systematic process for utilizing CAD system’s capability for flagging specific information on populations with access and functional needs, leaving this group vulnerable in emergency situations.
F11
Page 42
CodeRED is underutilized due, at least in part, to a lack of systematic effort to increase registrations.
F12
Page 42
SHASCOM and participating agencies’ websites lack adequate information about the function of CodeRED alerts and the registration process, leaving the public with insufficient information as to why or how to register.
F13
Page 42
The current CodeRED registration process is not sufficiently effective at enabling or achieving registration of people with access and functional needs. This may leave this population vulnerable to future emergencies for lack of receiving a CodeRED alert.
F14
Page 42
There has been no available comprehensive testing or analysis by SHASCOM to determine if CodeRED meets the County’s needs for an emergency alert system.
F15
Page 42
The Board does not receive standardized, system-wide reporting or documentation from the various Operational meetings between participating Agencies and SHASCOM, impacting their ability to make informed decisions.
F16
Page 42
There is not a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities among Board members and the Director, which results in less than effective governance. This lack of consistent and comprehensive oversight of SHASCOM allows chronic issues, as outlined in the report, to persist. COMMENDATION Thank you to Agencies that put links to CodeRED on their websites.
Recommendations 12
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R1Page 42By September 30, 2019, the SHASCOM Board will begin the process of hiring a subject matter expert (management consultant) to review and analyze personnel management issues related to overtime, staffing levels, and dispatcher responsibilities and classifications (PSDI and PSDII). Funding could come from current-year budget savings or be allocated to the following year’s budget.
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R2Page 42By October 31, 2019, the SHASCOM Board will instruct the SHASCOM Director to prepare a comprehensive recruitment plan that analyzes appropriate targets and details the timing and methods of recruitment. 29
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R3Page 43Beginning January 31, 2020, the SHASCOM Board will require the SHASCOM Director to provide quarterly reports on recruitment efforts and outcomes, based on the comprehensive recruitment plan.
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R4Page 43By January 31, 2020, the SHASCOM Board will require the SHASCOM Director to have prepared and initiated the Request For Proposals (RFP) process for hiring the management consultant.
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R5Page 43By November 30, 2019, the SHASCOM Board will require the SHASCOM Director to present a timeline for achieving compliance with accreditation certification of the dispatch center, either through POST or an alternate accreditation organization.
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R6Page 43By November 30, 2019, the SHASCOM Board will require that each employee’s annual evaluation include continuing education requirements and provide a reasonable timeframe to complete the training.
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R7Page 43By November 30, 2019, the SHASCOM Board will instruct the SHASCOM Director to conduct an in-house audit on the effectiveness of the training program and report the results to the Board
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R8Page 43Beginning at the September 2019 SHASCOM Board meeting, and at each bi-monthly meeting thereafter, the Board will require written updates on the performance of CAD until all issues are resolved to the satisfaction of participating Agencies.
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R9Page 43By January 31, 2020, the SHASCOM Board will instruct the SHASCOM Director to present a project plan for incorporating information on people with access and functional needs into the CAD database.
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R10Page 43By January 31, 2020, the SHASCOM Board will instruct the SHASCOM Director to plan the implementation of an annual performance test of CodeRED with a subsequent report to the Board on the system’s effectiveness of the test.
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R11Page 43By January 31, 2020, the SHASCOM Board will instruct the SHASCOM Director to appoint a staff member of SHASCOM to improve the CodeRED registry website and expand public registration, including persons with special access and functional needs.
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R12Page 43By May 31, 2020, the SHASCOM Board will establish an operational, standing Advisory Board, composed of community volunteers as outlined in this report.