AgdaPkt 2012-09-24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.1.A. - Page 15 1. Cost Effectiveness The data from Table 1 demonstrate that it is less expensive to consolidate services with another agency than to run a standalone dispatch operation. The average cost per call for cities that contract out dispatch services is $18.45 while the average cost for cities that operate their own dispatch is $30.04. Not shown in Table 1 is that cities such as San Mateo, Redwood City, Menlo Park and South San Francisco can reduce their costs by bringing in one or more partners. As one city manager told the Grand Jury: expect a 15% to 20% in cost savings just from sharing overhead. 2. Dispatch Depth Some small cities, per Table 1 above, have just a few dispatchers and may have only one dispatcher on duty at any given time. For example, when the gas line in San Bruno exploded on September 9, 2010, at about 6:11 pm, there was only one dispatcher on duty in the San Bruno Police Department to handle a huge volume of 9-1-1 calls. The dispatcher was soon joined by one person from the Records Department, but they were overwhelmed by the number of calls. About 26 minutes later, personnel from the PSC and others arrived in San Bruno and set up Emergency Dispatch at the scene. To prevent the one-dispatcher scenario, Colma has contracted with South San Francisco for night dispatch service. South San Francisco has a minimum of two dispatchers on duty at all times. The PSC has a minimum of 9 dispatchers at all times. All those interviewed believe that maintaining depth in dispatch centers is desirable. Related to dispatch depth, some smaller cities lack critical mass to employ dispatchers or dispatch supervisors who are fully dedicated to the dispatch role. In these cases they are asked to assume additional responsibilities. Some of those interviewed by the Grand Jury expressed strong feelings that a dispatcher's job is intense and should not be combined with other- distracting responsibilities. 3. Levels of Service Each city establishes its own level of service for police. For instance, some police departments respond to non-injury auto accidents while others do not. Concern is sometimes raised that the consolidated police dispatch center cannot handle these differences between jurisdictions effectively. In interviews the Grand Jury learned that these differences are typically accommodated without problem. 4. Technology Infrastructure Every police dispatch center depends upon a complex assortment of hardware and software including CAD systems, records management systems and either digital or analog radio communications systems. From interviews the Grand Jury found that CAD systems used by the PSC and city police dispatch centers generally are not interoperable. Various system vendors and technologies have been utilized across the County. There are also new and emerging federal standards for public safety communications systems and, in some cases, federal grants are available for local government agencies to upgrade to newer systems. 6