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COMMUNICATIONS /
DISPATCH
A Communications Operator or "DISPATCHER" is the person who is the link
between citizens of our society and the various Public Safety and Public Service
agencies. This complex field has a wide range of duties and responsibilities,
which are essential to make the crucial CONNECTION that could be the difference
between life and death. Listed below are the job responsibilities of a
Dispatcher.
TELEPHONE
Responsible for answering eight trunked incoming emergency lines, an auto
attended administrative line, a direct emergency line to NJ American Water
Company, a TDD line for individuals who are hearing impaired, and a fax machine.
Each call on the 732-449-4500 number is received, processed, and either
handled at the desk or transferred to the appropriate extension. Incoming calls
handled at the desk can be emergency calls such as motor vehicle accidents,
burglaries, first aid or fire calls, suicide calls, plane crashes, hold-up &
robbery calls, etc. Some non-emergency calls include requests for directions,
inquiries regarding fireworks or other Township events, requests for telephone
numbers, questions about the Public Works and Municipal Court, law enforcement
related questions, what good motels are in Wall Township, etc., etc., etc...
The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department receives our 9-1-1 calls. The County
9-1-1 operator conferences the call with our Dispatchers who in turn gather the
pertinent information and dispatch the appropriate services.
It is also the responsibility of the Dispatcher to receive and send faxes.
This involves sending Department Press Releases, receiving and disseminating
faxes for the various Divisions and Officers of the Department, faxing warrants,
and other miscellaneous paperwork.
RADIO
The Communications Division operates a state-of-the-art Motorola radio system
for communicating with local police, fire, first aid, and other agencies. The
capabilities available also allows communications with Public Works, FBI, DEA,
ATF, US Treasury, Secret Service, State Police, all NJ police agencies, Park
Rangers, Fish & Game Wardens, State Forestry Services, and many other Federal
and State agencies.
MOBILE COMMAND CENTER was placed in service in December 1999. This vehicle
will usually be staffed by Dispatchers and is capable of taking over
communications in the field during major events, crimes, disasters, etc.
The police and fire bands utilize a repeater system for complete radio
coverage of Wall Township. There are six sites spread throughout the Township.
When a radio is "keyed-up" the signal goes to the nearest repeater site and is
amplified and "repeated". The result is a strong signal that can be heard
Township-wide.
DISPATCH
The dispatch of emergency services as well as necessary resources is an
important responsibility and a common function of a Dispatcher. Once a call is
received, the Dispatcher must make the determination of the needed resource for
the particular call for service.
A police radio car is dispatched to practically every call for service that
is received. A Dispatcher will assign officers as needed for the specific call.
The Desk is given a Daily Squad Roster with the on-duty officers, assigned radio
cars, and portable numbers. Each officer is assigned a "post" or patrol zone
that they are responsible for. Once a call is received we dispatch the post unit
supplying them with the nature of the call, the address, a cross street, and any
other pertinent information as needed or available. Then, depending on the type
of call, back-up units are assigned.
Three fire companies provide the Township with fire protection. It is the
responsibility of the Dispatcher to dispatch and coordinate the fire department
to all calls reporting fire, smoke, fire alarms, CO alarms, hazardous materials
calls, rescue calls, serious motor vehicle accidents, utility emergencies, plane
crashes, and other situations as necessary. The Dispatcher transmits a tone over
the Fire Band that activates the fire departments pagers. The call is then
verbally broadcast and the appropriate fire company responds.
Three first aid squads provide emergency medical service to the Township. It
is the responsibility of the Dispatcher to dispatch the first aid squad to all
calls reporting medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents with injuries, and
other calls requiring medical treatment. The Dispatcher transmits a tone over
the Fire Band which activates the first aid squad pagers. The call is then
verbally broadcast and the appropriate first aid squad responds. Certain
emergency medical calls require a Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) which is
requested and coordinated by the Dispatcher.
Other agencies that are requested and coordinated by the Dispatcher would be
the power company (GPU), gas company (NJNG), emergency management, public works,
county and state DOT, towing contractors, animal control, taxi cabs, water
department, other police departments, etc.
COMPUTERS
Computers are an important responsibility for the Communications Division
because most of the data and information obtained from state and federal
computer programs are strictly confidential. The department accesses the
National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV),
Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), National Law Enforcement
Telecommunications System (NLETS), Interpol, and our in-house CAD and records
keeping system.
A Dispatcher must be a certified user and operator through the New Jersey
State Police in order to operate the system. A certified operator has the
ability to communicate through computer to just about every agency in the US and
Canada.
NCIC is used nationwaide to locate lost or stolen property and vehicles,
tracking fugitives and missing persons, lost or stolen guns, boats, vehicles,
and thousands of articles. The system requires monthly validations and must
always be kept up-to-date to provide accuracy.
DMV is maintained by the NJ Motor Vehicle Services (MVS) and is strictly used
for police business only. It provides vehicle information, drivers license
information, and in some cases personal identification information.
CJIS provides police to view a subject’s criminal history. It also provides
valuable personal identification information which otherwise might not be
available from an uncooperative subject. After viewing a criminal history, the
print out must be destroyed.
NLETS provides access through the computer system to communicate with police
agencies nationwide. It also accesses DMV files in all fifty states and Canada.
The Interpol system allows communications to other countries through the
Interpol Office in Washington DC.
The Dispatcher MUST be thoroughly familiar with the Department’s in-house
computer system. It is a Dispatcher’s responsibility to document all calls for
service, notifications, and other incidents that are applicable in the in-house
computer system. The Communications Division also maintains the business file,
the streets and address file, and we enter all field/operations reports. When a
call is received, the Dispatcher generates a CAD. The computer automatically
generates a case number, then all pertinent information such as address, name,
phone number, type of call, and the time received and time dispatched are
recorded. The radio car is dispatched. The Dispatchers also documents the time
arrived and cleared. Following the call, the officer completes a Field Report
that is later entered into the computer by the Dispatcher.
There are many other practices, jobs, and duties performed by Dispatchers.
They vary from assisting various divisions within the police department, to
overseeing mediation conferences at Town Hall. |
