Billings 911 Center Case Study

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The Billings 911 Center provides emergency fire, medical, and law enforcement services for citizens living within Yellowstone County, Montana. The agency’s mission and goals center on customer service while trying to stay consistent with ever changing, yet strict, policies and standard operating procedures. This department operates under the discretion of the Fire Department, although various services follow procedures determined by multiple governmental agencies. Law enforcement procedures originate from the Billings Police Department for citizens living within the city limits and the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Department for those living within the county but outside of the city limits. Fire and medical policies derive from American …show more content…
In 1985, a joint city/county 911 center was formed when the Yellowstone County Sheriff dispatchers integrated into the center. Over the years, the Billings 911 Center has dealt with an ever growing population and rapidly changing technology. This organization was forced work under a budget that did not keep up with the growth in population or technology, thus leading to sacrifices in things like building maintenance. Employees deal with a dilapidated building containing mold, unhealthy air circulation, and make shift repairs from the cheapest bidders. In 1994, this communication center switched from operating entirely on paper to a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Phone systems started as basic 3 line switch boards to computer displayed systems capable of answering seven emergency lines and six non-emergency lines. The computer phone system provided name and address location for most callers. Within the last 10-15 years cell phones flooded the market. Cell phones opened up even more opportunities and challenges. Today cell phones can be traced within 10 meters and people are able to use text messaging in order to report their