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Kootenai County 911 says hiring and training pipeline improving; AI tools and RapidSOS planned to reduce strain
Summary
Lieutenant Jeff Howard updated commissioners on 911 hiring and training timelines, automation and AI pilots, and operational steps to reduce overtime; the county approved RapidSOS and is considering paid training tools and vacation buyouts to stabilize staffing.
Kootenai County 911 told the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday it expects incremental relief next year as several new trainees progress through classroom and on-the-job training and as the center implements new technology to automate parts of call-taking and quality assurance.
Lieutenant Jeff Howard, who gave the staffing update, said five trainees are in the system: one near completion of fire-med dispatch training (expected in October) and several others in early stages of call-taking and radio training. Howard said the center hopes to have the new trainees fully operational by mid-2026 if training hours and trainer availability can be sustained.
Howard said the county approved a contract with RapidSOS for automated call taking and that he is evaluating an AI-driven vendor that can support hiring,…
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