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County offers space and upgrades for consolidated 911 dispatch; city retains police dispatch now
Summary
County says its renovated 911 center has capacity for expanded dispatch and offered the option to consolidate city police dispatch into the county system; the city currently handles landline calls within city limits and the county handles cell-phone calls first.
Lancaster County officials described the county 911 communications system and said the renovated county center has upgraded consoles, servers and backup systems and currently handles countywide fire, EMS and sheriff dispatch. County staff said the center processed nearly 70,000 calls for service in the last fiscal year.
The county explained how calls are routed: a landline inside city limits is received by the city dispatch center, while a mobile phone call inside the city first goes to the county 911 center where staff collect information and transfer the call to city dispatch. County staff said the county has space and technology available should the city wish to consolidate police dispatch with the county's center and noted the county has made recent equipment and facility upgrades.
At the joint meeting some city council members signaled concern about consolidation and job impacts; others said redundant routing of cell-phone calls adds transfer time. City staff described state-mandated dispatch updates and said any consolidation decision would need to weigh costs, staffing and continuity of service.
Ending: County officials invited city leaders to discuss options and noted the county 911 center is prepared to host consolidated operations if the city chooses to pursue that path.
