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Desiree details dispatch training, recertification deadline and telecommunicators proclamation
Summary
Desiree told the board dispatchers met with three fire chiefs for pre-fire-season coordination, a trainee will begin taking 911 calls, staff face a state recertification deadline (failure could mean 90-day suspension), and a proclamation honoring telecommunicators was read aloud.
Desiree, who spoke for the dispatch operation, briefed the board on training and staffing and asked members to support recognition of dispatchers during National Telecommunicators Week.
She said a recent department meeting included all three local fire chiefs and dispatchers so both groups could align expectations before fire season. She added that a trainee, Rosalie, will start answering 911 calls as part of a final training phase and is expected to complete her training by the six-month mark.
Desiree warned that Washington’s new dispatch certification and recertification rules require staff to complete steps by the end of June or face disciplinary action: "If someone does not follow the process ... it's a 90 day suspension by the state," she said, emphasizing the need for staff to track deadlines and training logs.
Desiree also said she drafted a stricter cell-phone policy for dispatchers, sent it to HR and to Nick for review to ensure written policies align with RCWs, and invited questions from members.
A committee member read a proclamation recognizing 911 telecommunicators, reciting duties and stress of the role and calling telecommunicators "first responders" in the proclamation text. Desiree thanked the reader and asked whether the board wanted to formally read or adopt the proclamation for the county; members indicated they typically read such proclamations.
Desiree said she scheduled an LEPC meeting and will host an LEPC conference locally with the fire department instead of sending staff to Tumwater.
The board did not take formal action beyond reading the proclamation and receiving the update; follow-up items included confirmation of the cell-phone policy language after HR review and ensuring staff complete recertification steps.
