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Consultants recommend priority-dispatch protocols; city officials flag need for more dispatchers and space
Summary
Mission Critical Partners recommended priority dispatch implementation over 6–12 months at an approximate $125,000 per protocol set (three sets ≈ $375,000); council and chiefs noted current dispatcher staffing at about 23 and a target of 36 to support integrated alternative-response models.
A vendor and the fire and police chiefs told council that modernizing dispatch protocols is a near-term requirement to enable alternative-response programs and to reduce risk and cost. "By implementing priority dispatch protocols, we also create additional opportunities for alternative response types," said a Mission Critical Partners representative, noting benefits including pre-arrival instructions, tiered dispatching and better triage for mental-health calls. MCP gave a rough budget estimate of about $125,000 per protocol set and said full implementation of three protocol sets could be about $375,000 and take six to 12 months.
Chief Lewis and other leaders stressed current staffing and space limits in the emergency communication center. When asked how many dispatchers the city needs, the chief said the city is "more in the area of 23" now and the planning goal is about 36 dispatchers to fully meet projected demand and integration with SCU and other non-police responses. Councilmembers pressed staff to return with costed options and timeline scenarios tied to the broader reimagining work.
