Finance Committee pulls GPS extenders resolution after concerns about EMS dispatch change

The Finance Committee agreed April 14 to pull a resolution concerning GPS extenders and an associated change to EMS dispatch procedures and to refer it to the Public Safety Committee for additional review. Interim County Administrator Mark Humbert explained the item had been initially tabled and that the Sheriff had proposed EMS begin dispatching its own units. Committee members raised operational concerns.

Supervisor Dawn Pisciotti said the shift raised safety concerns, noting it "could lead to delays during emergency situations." Committee members observed that paramedics cannot reliably serve as both dispatchers and as active responders on rigs. Madam Chair Kim Leonard said she had spoken with the Sheriff and that longstanding rules within the 911 dispatch system had not always been followed; she emphasized that under the proposed approach 911 would still initiate calls and remain the primary dispatcher while the system change aims to reduce human error.

IT Director Matt Ury reported the 911 Operations Manager told staff that manual updating of ambulance locations upon return to base was not possible under current procedures, and Mr. Humbert said the changes are intended to optimize the CAD system. Given the operational questions, the committee agreed the resolution should be withdrawn from consideration at this meeting and referred back to Public Safety for further input, including from Mr. Lee and the Sheriff.

The committee did not adopt the GPS extenders procurement at the April 14 meeting; no vote on procurement was recorded pending additional review.