Question from Anonymous
Where do you stand on the dispatch issue and why? Do you think Richmond should join Mad Co. and Berea?
Michael Bryant answered:
I fully support the City of Richmond joining with Madison County and the City of Berea in a combined 911 system. Everybody benefits from a combined 911. Citizens would see quicker response times from E.M.S. and other responders. Police, Fire, E.M.S. and other first responders will be able to share emergency information quicker. In the case of a large scale disaster or event it is essential that all responders be able to communicate with one another.
There has been a lot of confusing information about 911; whether calls are transferred or not, and whether or not lives will be at risk. The fact is that if you live in the City of Richmond and you need an ambulance your emergency call may be transferred. If you use a landline to call 911 your call will go to the Richmond 911 Center in the basement of Richmond City Hall. You will hear a dispatcher answer the phone and ask what your emergency is. After you relay the emergency information, the dispatcher will tell you they are transferring your call the E.M.S. and send your call to the Madison County 911 Center located at the Madison County Emergency Operation Center. The next voice you hear will be another dispatcher asking what your emergency is. After you relay your information a second time, an ambulance is then dispatched. If you call for an ambulance on a cell phone the call goes directly to the Madison County 911 Center.
Turn on any news channel at any time and chances are you will see some sort of natural disaster impacting communities. You’ll chemical spills on roadways, and railroads. You’ll see reports of terrorism. You’ll see any number of emergencies taking place elsewhere on any given day. All of those events can happen here. Having a consolidated 911 Center for Richmond, Berea and the County is just good leadership and stewardship in meeting the challenges that face us in the future
There has been a lot of confusing information about 911; whether calls are transferred or not, and whether or not lives will be at risk. The fact is that if you live in the City of Richmond and you need an ambulance your emergency call may be transferred. If you use a landline to call 911 your call will go to the Richmond 911 Center in the basement of Richmond City Hall. You will hear a dispatcher answer the phone and ask what your emergency is. After you relay the emergency information, the dispatcher will tell you they are transferring your call the E.M.S. and send your call to the Madison County 911 Center located at the Madison County Emergency Operation Center. The next voice you hear will be another dispatcher asking what your emergency is. After you relay your information a second time, an ambulance is then dispatched. If you call for an ambulance on a cell phone the call goes directly to the Madison County 911 Center.
Turn on any news channel at any time and chances are you will see some sort of natural disaster impacting communities. You’ll chemical spills on roadways, and railroads. You’ll see reports of terrorism. You’ll see any number of emergencies taking place elsewhere on any given day. All of those events can happen here. Having a consolidated 911 Center for Richmond, Berea and the County is just good leadership and stewardship in meeting the challenges that face us in the future