| The Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police 9-1-1 Center is the Public Safety Answering Point for all police, fire and medical emergencies within the city limits and all Municipalities, with the exception of Tybee Island. The 9-1-1 Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
OPERATIONS
911 Center Coordinator
The Center Coordinator is responsible for the general oversight of the Communications Center. This individual is responsible for coordinating every aspect of the Communications Center operation to include the development of policies and procedures, staffing, reviewing personnel issues and the validation of information contained in the 911 database.
Call Takers
In order to maximize efficiency and public service, the 9-1-1 Center is staffed with a certain number of call takers who are assigned to answer 9-1-1 and other incoming lines. It is their responsibility to assess each call and make a rapid, accurate decision concerning its disposition.
Communications Officers
Citizens often see ambulances, police units and fire department units responding to calls for service, but not much thought is given to the process of initiating these responses. Those persons responsible for the dispatch of emergency service units are the elite group of First Responders called Communications Officers.
Communications Officers are assigned to handle police resources working in different geographic areas of the City called Precincts. Their work is monitored and coordinated by the Senior Communications Officer assigned to their shift. Communications Officers are responsible for assigning calls, logging officers to on-view incidents such as traffic stops, performing wanted person and stolen property checks and providing support to numerous field units (detectives, Traffic Enforcement, EMS, etc.), while remaining cognizant of any risks to officer safety.
Communications Officers and Call takers alike, work in a fast paced environment, under stressful conditions. They are considered critical work force personnel and must report for duty during man-made or natural disasters and be prepared to remain at their assigned staging area until the emergency has passed. The lives of field personnel and citizens are often dependent upon the expertise of Communications Center personnel.
Senior Communications Officer
The Senior Communications Officer functions primarily in a supervisory/supportive capacity. This person is responsible for the personnel assigned to their shift, scheduling, disciplinary issues and overseeing daily Center operations.
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