Communications Division
Staffing
The Communications Division is staffed with 12 full-time and 2 part-time employees: 8 Public Safety Dispatchers, 2 Public Safety Lead Dispatchers, 1 Public Safety Supervisor and 1 Records & Communications Manager. A typical shift will have 2 dispatchers working at a time. This means that for more than eight hours a day, while Dispatchers take their lunch breaks and complete collateral duties in other parts of the building, there is only one dispatcher responsible for all Dispatching Responsibilities.
Responsibilities
Public Safety Dispatchers are responsible for answering all 9-1-1 phone calls, and Police and Fire emergency lines, determining the type of assistance needed and sending emergency personnel to police, fire and medical emergencies. Dispatchers also answer "ring-down" lines which link the Communications Center to each Fire Station, UC Davis Police Department; and callboxes which have a direct connection to the elevator in the parking structure at First and F Streets and the Putah Creek Bicycle Tunnel. After hours, Dispatchers answer all non-emergency lines, as well as making notifications to Parks & Community Services and Public Works. At the same time, Dispatchers continuously document everything that is being told to them on the phone and on the radio. This information is logged into a Computer Aided Dispatch System, or CAD. It is imperative that all of this information be kept accurate, for both the safety of the officers and the safety of the public. Dispatchers are also expected to complete various clerical tasks.
Statistics
Dispatchers are responsible for answering 26 phone lines and monitoring up to 14 radio channels. On average, during a 24 hour period, the Records & Communications Division handles over 500 telephone calls. In 2003, Records & Communications personnel entered 58,256 police and fire calls for service into the computer aided dispatch system. Dispatchers answered 8,054 9-1-1 calls in 2003. The Police Department documented 7,902 police reports (criminal activity, arrests, accidents, miscellaneous reports, missing persons, etc). The police department was notified of an additional 790 crimes for which the victims did not file official reports, (these were "Mailed-Out Report Forms" which were not returned).
Job Opportunities
What does it take to be a Dispatcher?
Great Dispatchers have the ability to perform several tasks, simultaneously, while making critical and even life-altering decisions. Dispatchers must work under pressure, never letting the severity of the last call show through to the next caller. Excellent communication skills are necessary to service a socially, economically and culturally diverse population. It is important to have solid logic and strong problem-solving skills. Dispatchers need a strong sense of community, as motivation to spend nights, weekends and holidays away from their own families.
Current Employment Opportunities
Avenues of Opportunity
Once a City of Davis Public Safety Dispatcher completes a probationary period, there is a chance to be assigned to special duties such as being a Communications Training Officer or a Tactical Field Dispatcher for the Davis/West Sacramento joint Tactical Team. There are also promotional opportunities such as being a Lead Dispatcher or a Dispatch Supervisor.
When to Call 9-1-1/How 9-1-1 Works
When should you call 9-1-1?
Use 9-1-1 to stop a crime in-progress, report a fire or smoke, or call for an ambulance. Any incident, which threatens life or is an immediate threat to property, justifies a 9-1-1 call.
How does 9-1-1 work?
When you dial "9-1-1" from a hard-line phone, the call is automatically routed to the nearest Public Safety Answering Point, or PSAP, based on the address at which the phone line is installed. For everyone living inside the city limits of Davis, the PSAP is Davis Police Department. The Dispatcher answers the call, determines the nature and level of assistance required, and sends the appropriate emergency personnel. The procedure is a bit different for residents and businesses in El Macero, Royal Oaks and other outlying areas. The PSAP for these areas is Yolo County Communications Center, which dispatches law enforcement. If you are calling from the outlying areas and need fire or medical assistance, your call will be transferred to Davis Police Department.
When the Dispatcher answers a 9-1-1 call, the caller's address and phone number should be automatically displayed. This technology is called ALI/ANI, (Automated Location Information/Automated Number Information). To avoid any possibility of error, the Dispatcher will confirm the ANI/ALI information with the caller.
What do I do, if I accidentally dial 9-1-1?
If you dial 9-1-1 by mistake, it is important that you remain on the line and tell the dispatcher that the call was a misdial. The Dispatcher may confirm the address and telephone number from which you are calling. This is simply a way of confirming your address is accurate, in case of a future emergency. You will not be billed for calling 9-1-1 by mistake. If you disconnect before the Dispatcher can confirm you are okay, Police Officers will be sent to your house to make sure that assistance is not actually needed.
When should I use the non-emergency #?
The non-emergency #, 530-747-5400, should be used to report incidents which are no longer occurring, or where calling 9-1-1 would not increase the chances of preserving life, property or of apprehending suspects.
Some examples of when to use this number are:
- Your car was stolen overnight.
- Yesterday, you saw a suspicious person in your neighborhood.
- Someone stole your bike while you were at school.
- You need to add additional items to a theft or burglary report you have already made.
What to expect When You Call 9-1-1
Questions you may be asked.
Where are you? Where is the incident?
What is happening?
What is your name?
What is your phone number?
It is important to remain calm and answer each of the questions asked. The Dispatcher will send help, while simultaneously asking you questions. Staying on the line and answering the dispatcher's questions will not delay help from responding units. When it is safe to do so, the Dispatcher may request that you stay on the line to provide updated information. You will be acting as the "eyes and ears" for the dispatcher. Information that you provide, such as suspect description and direction of travel, will help officers en route to your call.
How long will it take for help to arrive?
The response time has many different factors. For instance, the nature and circumstances of what you are reporting, what else is happening in the city, and where the officer(s) are responding from.
