Glendale council approves six-month contract for temporary 911 call takers as dispatch center runs 40% vacant

The Glendale City Council on Aug. 26 voted unanimously to authorize a contract with Motivations Incorporated to supply one 9-1-1 emergency call taker per shift for the Verdugo Fire Communications Center, a temporary staffing measure the city says is needed while it completes hiring and background checks for incoming dispatchers.

City manager Mister Galani read the item into the record, saying the proposal authorizes a contract not to exceed $585,231 plus a contingency of $58,523 — a total not to exceed $643,754 — to provide call-taking personnel and includes a related appropriation resolution. The contract covers a six-month period that staff said would end in March 2026 if the full term is used.

The measure responds to a reported vacancy rate of roughly 40% in the communications center, Galani said. “Our Verdugo fire communication center currently has 15 positions in their operation, of which 6 are currently vacant. That represents a 40% vacancy,” he said. The city said it is interviewing 65 candidates this week but that those hires could not be onboarded until December because of background checks and other personnel processes.

Fire Department staff said the contract will provide one dispatcher per shift for 24-hour coverage through two 12-hour shifts. Fire Chief Brooks told the council the contracting firm employs veteran dispatchers with five to 25 years of experience and that the firm handles logistics, benefits and insurance for the temporary employees. Chief Brooks said the arrangement is aimed at reducing fatigue and workload on remaining staff while new hires complete onboarding.

Council members asked about the hourly and monthly cost. Chief Brooks characterized the hourly cost as about $88 an hour and the contract’s monthly cost as roughly $105,000 for 24-hour coverage. Galani and Chief Brooks said a significant portion of the city’s outlay will be offset by vacancy savings created by the unfilled positions; Galani cited a vacancy-savings figure of $364,573 from the briefing materials.

Public commenter Beth Brooks urged caution about the price, noting travel and lodging costs for temporary staff and asking why the company was not local. She said: “A $107,000 a month ... seems out of this world.” City staff responded that the vendor is one of only two firms offering the all‑inclusive service and that the rate includes overhead, insurance and benefits.

Mayor Ara Najarian moved the resolutions to dispense with competitive bidding and execute the contract and the related appropriation; a second was given and the council approved the items in a roll-call vote with Council member Asadarian, Council member Brotman, Council member Garpetian, Council member Kasakhian and Mayor Najarian voting yes.

Council members said they supported the temporary contract to protect public safety while the city completes hiring, and staff said the arrangement can be scaled back if the city accelerates onboarding of permanent dispatchers.

The contract and appropriation are limited to the terms and amounts the council approved; staff told the council the city’s hiring timeline and vacancy savings will determine the ultimate duration and net cost to the city.