Dispatch Unit
Staff & Responsibilities
The Dispatch Unit staff includes 1 supervisor and 12 dispatchers.The responsibilities of the Dispatch Unit include:
Please make sure the buttons on your phone are not inadvertently dialing 911. The Police Department receives numerous calls without the party realizing the connection and this can delay response to true emergencies.
The Dispatch Unit staff includes 1 supervisor and 12 dispatchers.The responsibilities of the Dispatch Unit include:
- Receives, interprets, and disseminates requests for police
- Operates over a 2-way radio
- Operates computer-aided dispatch system to maintain the status of all mobile units
- Searches local, state, and national data terminals
- Answers telephones
Please make sure the buttons on your phone are not inadvertently dialing 911. The Police Department receives numerous calls without the party realizing the connection and this can delay response to true emergencies.
Answering the Call with Blue Springs Dispatch
Below is an interview with Blue Springs Dispatch Supervisor Brian Alexander about how the unit handles emergency calls. It was originally shared in the The Blue Springs Magazine.
As the primary answering point for all Blue Springs 911 emergency calls, Blue Springs Dispatch processes thousands of calls each year including police, fire and emergency medical services. “We get emergency calls quite often,” says Dispatch Supervisor Brian Alexander. “Once you pick up that phone, you never know what’s going to be on the other end.” Dispatchers are the first contact in most emergency situations and are tasked with receiving 911 calls, gathering vital information, and determining if the situation requires police, fire or emergency medical services.
The Blue Springs Dispatch operates 24/7 and collects information for Blue Springs Police services and relays calls for partner organizations like Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Central Jackson County Fire Protection District and Prairie Township Fire Protection District. Shifts last 12 hours and includes a steady rotation of four hours answering phones, four hours operating radios and four hours managing radio traffic and call overflow. “Both shifts are busy,” says Alexander. “There are more administrative calls during the daytime such as reporting overnight crimes; evening shifts consists of traffic stops and disturbances.” Dispatchers complete six weeks of on-the-job training and work closely with the Mid-America Regional Council to stay current on best practices both regionally and nationwide. The team also answers non-emergency calls to request services from animal control officers and City operations like water, streets, and parks personnel after hours or on the weekends.
What to Do When Calling 911
Below are some things to keep in mind when reaching out to 911 in an emergency.
Information - The most essential information dispatchers need is the location of the emergency. Using intersections can help if the exact address is unknown.
- Response Time - Officers have a response time goal of five minutes for the top three computer aided dispatch priorities: weapons discharge, robberies and physical disturbances.
- Help Is On The Way - If there is a caller witha serious emergency, dispatchers try to stay on the line to let the caller know when officers are in the area and to keep our officers updated.