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911 renovation and new CAD system enter testing; contracted ambulance visibility remains a concern
Summary
Council members reported progress on the 911 center renovation and testing of an upgraded computer-aided dispatch system, but said the new system will not force contracted ambulances to broadcast location data and that a county study is ongoing.
City officials reported that renovation of the Burton 911 center is under way and that the new computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system has entered testing. Council and emergency responders, however, cautioned that the new CAD will not be able to override contracted ambulance companies that choose to disable location broadcasts.
The update is significant because better dispatch tools and a renovated 911 center affect emergency response times and coordination among multiple ambulance providers that serve the city and surrounding jurisdictions. Council members said the testing phase so far has been positive but that policy and contractual changes may be needed to ensure full visibility of contracted units.
During public comment Rob Beggs, a paramedic, asked whether the new system "is going to have all of the ambulance companies visible to 911, including the one that has contracts that you can't see?" City staff did not confirm that capability immediately. Later in council discussion, an administration official said the new CAD cannot override contractors who turn off broadcasts: "The new system can't override them shutting it off when they're doing it," the official said, describing a limitation in how ambulance contractors' systems interact with 911.
Council members and staff said the 911 renovation project is progressing and that the upgraded CAD comes from an established vendor; testing has been positive in early phases. Officials said the county and regional partners are studying AVL/visibility and the operations of contracted ambulances; that outside study (reported by council) was extended with preliminary data expected in coming months.
Officials said the city will continue to coordinate with county officials, the med board and regional partners to pursue changes that would improve dispatcher visibility of contracted ambulances. No formal policy change or ordinance was adopted at the meeting.
