Pictures of the 9-1-1 Center

The 9-1-1 center is broken down into the following six positions, all of which have the most current Enhanced 911 technology and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) programs. Each Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher (ETD) is fully trained to work all positions.

 

Position # 1 is the main police dispatcher.  This ETD dispatches the police officers to calls over the radio.  This position relays important information such as: officer's safety information, suspect descriptions, and other key information to the responding officers.  This position is able to run license and warrant checks on individuals for the patrol officers out on the street. While this position is able to answer calls for service, its main priority is the dispatching of police cars.

 

Position # 2 has a dual role as the police dispatcher's backup and as a call taker.  This position has radio transmission capabilities as well, meaning that when it gets busy (as it often does), the backup is able to use the radio if the police dispatcher is tied up running various things for the police officers. The police backup is a key factor in making the police side of the 9-1-1 center run smoothly.

 

 

Position # 3 is also a dual position. This position is the fire dispatcher's backup as well as a call taker. This position also has radio transmission capabilities.  When a major fire or emergency happens, the fire backup is utilized.  Several notifications have to be made when emergencies like these occur; this position makes these notifications for the fire dispatcher, as their main concern is monitoring the radio and relaying vital information to those responding to the major emergencies.

 

 

Position # 4 is the main fire dispatcher.  This position dispatches fire and EMS to the calls for service and is also responsible for monitoring all of the fire boxes in the city, and surrounding cities and towns.  Waltham will send various apparatus to other communities for mutual aid.  During a major incidents, the fire dispatcher relays key information to responding pieces of equipment, as well as out of town apparatus coming into the city for coverage.  This position is also able to answer calls for service when the main call takers re tied up on 9-1-1 or business lines.

 

Position # 5 and Position # 6 are both call takers positions.  Both of these positions have radio transmission capabilities.  These positions are used to answer phones whether it may be a 9-1-1 call or business call.  Both are often used by the supervisors to do various quality control reviews.  Random calls are picked from each group and thoroughly gone over by the supervisor to assure all the right questions were asked and adequate help was dispatched.