To most telecommunications operators, dispatching is a very personal occupation. We often know officers by voice and can tell if they are uncomfortable by the changes in their tone. In rural areas and small towns, 9-1-1 callers can say the disturbance is at Charlie's and the operator knows the exact address. But as technology has continued to change and more jurisdictions and disciplines are choosing to work together to save money, emergency communication centers are evolving. Many are consolidating. These agencies are often referred to as joint or central dispatch centers.

Tri-Com
Although many centers are only beginning to address consolidation, one agency merged several departments thirty-two years ago. Tri-Com 9-1-1 Central Dispatch, located in St. Charles (IL) joined together Batavia, City of Geneva and St. Charles Police and Fire Departments in 1976. "All my cities originally dispatched for themselves. I was a dispatcher for the City of Geneva which was police and fire at that time," explains Jerry Bleck, Director of Communication at Tri-Com. "Our equipment was becoming antiquated and our facilities were becoming crowded and there was little room to expand." With this in mind, as well as, the new 9-1-1 system, the chiefs got together and discussed a consolidated center. Each of the cities had grants available both from federal and state sources. "So the cities combined together to ask those entities if they would be willing to fund a consolidated PSAP," Bleck says. Tri-Com was born.

Saving Money
When considering consolidation agencies look at several issues. One of the main benefits is financial. "It helps save money by sharing equipment," Bleck states. "Back before we got together everyone had a radio system, a telephone system, and a recorder. By consolidating, we could reduce the amount of equipment we needed." Consolidated agencies also have individualized budgeting rather than being just another part of the police or fire budget.

Technology
Technology is another important consideration. "We were one of the first to go to an individual portable radio system for officers," explains Bleck. "The affordability for the latest technology is increased because you have different communities and government bodies supplying funding. You can be sure you keep up with the technology which is more important than ever in this millennium."