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Randolph County 9-1-1 director warns staffing shortfall threatens readiness; asks commissioners to consider higher pay and part‑time incentives

Randolph County Board of Commissioners · February 19, 2026

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Summary

Randolph County 9‑1‑1 Director Chris Schaneyfeld told commissioners the dispatch center is operating with half its required telecommunicators, has run hundreds of overtime hours and is exploring higher part‑time pay, recruitment drives and technology to reduce workload. He was asked to return in two weeks with pay proposals.

Chris Schaneyfeld, Randolph County’s 9‑1‑1 director and emergency manager, told the Board of Commissioners on Feb. 2 that the county’s emergency communications center is understaffed and that the gap is already affecting readiness. "I currently have 6 telecommunicators," Schaneyfeld said. "That's supposed to be 10 telecommunicators…we have already spent over 300 hours…we accumulated 378 costing $12,733 in the first 4 pay periods."

Schaneyfeld laid out steps he has taken to relieve pressure, including advertising for certified part‑time telecommunicators and scheduling interviews with candidates from neighboring counties. He also said the center activated an AI call‑taker on Jan. 29 to screen spam and rout callers, which has already interacted with more than 1,500 people and reduced needless pickups. "We've got it set now so people don't have to go through a whole bunch," he said.

Commissioners pressed for concrete near‑term steps. Several asked how the county could make part‑time roles more attractive and whether switching to more 8‑hour shifts would help recruit or retain staff. Schaneyfeld said the likely immediate action was to adjust pay: "Probably to help the pay," he told commissioners when asked what would help most. He agreed to return in two weeks with recommended hourly rates that would place Randolph County ahead of neighbors in attracting part‑time workers.

The board also discussed non‑pay options raised by Schaneyfeld, including stay interviews and limited use of experienced temporary staff, but he said vendor options to provide traveling telecommunicators proved unreliable or were flagged by other counties for nonpayment and lawsuits. Commissioners and council members signaled urgency: several urged quick follow‑up with specified salary proposals and part‑time pay rates that would be worthwhile relative to commuting costs.

The meeting record shows no formal vote on staffing levels or pay increases; Schaneyfeld was asked to return with proposed pay figures and proposals for part‑time incentives and staffing contingencies at the next meeting.