Re: 911:: Isn't 9-1-1 Public Safety Too ??? (See Within)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/7/2004 9:51:43 AM Central Standard Time,

nhuey@... writes:

> I have been notified that our department will not

> be included in a proposal for a citywide public safety salary increase

> because Communications/9-1-1 is not considered part of public safety.

>

>

>

>

> makes me wonder what kind of people are running your city, if they are

> confused on who is all included in DPS (department of public safety).....that

is

just asinine!!

jamie in iowa

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/7/2004 9:51:43 AM Central Standard Time,

nhuey@... writes:

> documentation that shows 9-1-1 included as public safety.

COMMON SENSE IS ALL YOU NEED!!

jamie in iowa

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/7/2004 12:12:27 PM Central Standard Time,

ekarsten@... writes:

> COMMON SENSE IS ALL YOU NEED!!

> >

> >jamie in iowa

> >

>

I meant all they need is common sense. sorry

jamie in iowa

[Guest guest]

The best argument I can think of is in the form of definitions found in

Federal and State homeland security legislation. The fed's give a

definition that you could help with this argument. The following is pulled

straight from the Homeland Security Act and is a part of United States Code:

PUBLIC LAW 107-296, section 2.

(6) The term ''emergency response providers'' includes Federal, State, and

local emergency public safety, law enforcement, emergency response,

emergency medical (including hospital emergency facilities), and RELATED

PERSONNEL, AGENCIES, AND AUTHORITIES.

The idea is that dispatch and 9-1-1 are considered related personnel. Our

state also outlines some definitions in various pieces of homeland security

legislation. You also might check to see of your state has done the same.

Some other thoughts:

Argue that 9-1-1 and Dispatch personnel are a REQUIRED component of your

cities emergency response. They are the critical component to maintaining

field unit safety. They are the nexus for information: be it from citizens,

the government, or other departments/units in the field. Dispatchers/call

takers provide the means for control and coordinated response by operations

personnel in the field and relay emergency information to all responders.

Play them a tape of where a dispatcher has relayed critical information that

saved the life of a field unit, particularly when units are covering one

another on a radio channel.

They provide the MEANS for organizing and alerting response components to an

emergency. Dispatchers/Communications helps maintain a picture of the

strategic situation. You have a number of units that get sucked out to a

big call. Who make sure that available units are moved to maintain

jurisdictional coverage? Can city emergency services continue to provide an

adequate level of service without the dispatcher or 9-1-1 operations

My last idea is to look for similarities between your comm. in SOP's and

public safety response SOP's as it pertains to report to work requirements.

They are considered essential employees (i.e.. They have to report to work

regardless).

Ken N