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Monroe County Central Dispatch reviews 2024 operations, board approves extra dispatchers
Summary
Central Dispatch Director Donna Cootie presented the 2024 annual report, highlighting training, technology upgrades and rising call volumes. The board approved adding two full-time and two part-time 9‑1‑1 dispatch positions.
Donna Cootie, Monroe County Central Dispatch director, gave the board an overview of the department's 2024 operations, staffing and technology investments and asked commissioners to consider staffing increases to meet demand.
Cootie said Central Dispatch answered 155,596 incoming calls in 2024 — including 9‑1‑1 voice and non‑emergency lines, and text‑to‑9‑1‑1 — and that wireless calls accounted for about 87.6% of call volume. She told commissioners the center has 16 budgeted dispatcher positions and six supervisors, and that both groups work 12‑hour shifts with rotating on‑call schedules.
“Those revenues help support our staffing. The majority of our costs are for our dispatchers,” Cootie said, explaining funding comes from local 9‑1‑1 surcharges and state 9‑1‑1 revenues. She said training hours totaled 621 in 2024 and that training funds are obtained separately from the surcharge and must be expended or returned to the state.
Cootie outlined recent technology and infrastructure work, including upgraded radio consoles, call processing equipment and backup phones, license‑plate reader integration with the sheriff's office, and text‑to‑9‑1‑1 and RapidSOS improvements. She described the department's medical and new fire dispatch protocols and noted rising use of text‑to‑9‑1‑1 over the last five years.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about staff lists and historical appendices; Cootie noted some roster entries reflected 2024 staffing and would be updated.
After the presentation, the board considered a separate operations item requesting two additional full‑time 9‑1‑1 dispatchers and two part‑time 9‑1‑1 dispatchers. Commissioners moved and seconded the staffing request. The motion carried on roll call. The board also approved routine related budget and accounts items during the meeting.
The director said Central Dispatch will continue focusing on recruitment and training to maintain 24/7 coverage as new technologies and protocols are rolled out.
For service questions or to view the full annual report, Cootie said the department's report and PowerPoint will be available with the county records for 2024.
