Fresno consolidates 911 dispatch (with related video)
From FDNN TV: In tough economic times, the Fresno (Calif.) Fire Department has found a way to both save money and improve service. After an extensive study into their communications program, they found that by consolidating the 911 dispatch for fire and EMS services in the city and county of Fresno, all of the agencies involved could lower their operating costs and improve their efficiency.
Prior to the revamping their communications system, the fire department, EMS Services, and law enforcement each had their own communications center and staff. “We started looking at improving our systems and realized that every 911 call in our county could literally end up with three 911 operators collecting the same information prior to it being dispatched,” Bttn. Chief Tim Henry said. This redundancy of information slowed the dispatch process down and was potentially dangerous. Read more.