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Tenn. city opens state-of-the-art dispatch center

The new Memphis 911 call center includes added comfort for dispatchers, as well as the ability to see real-time statistics

By EMS1 Staff

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A state-of-art 911 call center was recently built by the city that is equipped with improved dispatcher comfort and technological capabilities.

WREG reported that the city used funds collected from 911 fees to build the center, which will house 44 dispatchers who answer the 2 million 911 calls that come in annually.

“We are the biggest. We are the busiest, and I think we have the most challenges in West Tennessee,” Memphis Police Department Director Mike Rallings said.

The new center comes equipped with more spacious areas for the dispatchers, desks and monitors that can move up or down, and an air temperature control at each desk to help with comfort during long shifts.

“Most of our dispatchers are stuck here for eight to 12 hours depending on the shift,” Emergency Communications Administrator Michael Spencer said.

Dispatchers will also now be able to see statistics in real-time with monitors that show how many people are on calls and the current wait time for calls.

“We use that every day to kind of know how we’re doing up to the second,” Spencer said.

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