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The History of the Columbia-Richland Communications Center

In January of 1985, we opened our doors as one of the first 911 communications centers in the State of South Carolina; dispatching calls for Columbia Police Department and Columbia Fire Department. The Center then had four positions with a staff of 24 employees.

In July of 1999, the Communications Center, through efforts of the City of Columbia and Richland County, became a merged City/County Communications Center. With much support, and a true spirit of cooperation, both law enforcement agencies worked in concert with communications staff and was able to establish a unified law enforcement dispatching procedures. These new procedures included both agencies adopting a unified ten code and signal list. The initiative made communications for communications personnel and law enforcement officers easier.

Benefits of the Combined Center:

� Citizens now have a �one stop shop� when requesting emergency assistance from law, fire and medical assistance. There is only one number to dial to receive emergency assistance - 9-1-1.

� Efficient call processing by professionally trained communications personnel.

� Quicker response from emergency responders.

� Interoperability among all agencies means superior service to its citizens.

In July of 2001, the Communications Center became a stand-alone department for the first time since its inception in 1985. The separation has proven to be exciting and challenging for the new department.

In September of 2001, the Communications Center underwent restructuring to better serve the citizens and the user agencies. The restructure included these additional positions:

� Communications Operations Officer (COO), focusing specifically on insuring all communications and agencies policies and procedures were being followed, ensuring citizens received the best in quality customer service.

� Communications Training Officer (CTO), addressing the needs of communications employees on a weekly, monthly and as need basis; enhancing job skills and professional standards. Designed to give maximum service to our citizens in their time of need.

� Administrative/Fiscal Officer (AFO), assisting the Director with tracking requisitions, monitoring supplies and assisting with daily administrative duties.

� Senior Secretary, assisting the Director with day-to-day managerial concerns, and addressing the administrative and personnel issues of all Communications employees

In July of 2002, the Telecommunications Director was assigned the task of implementing a 3-1-1 Non-Emergency Call Center to address the non-emergency, information and quality of life concerns for the residents of Columbia. The non-emergency center initiative has served the City well, and is the only 3-1-1 Call Center in the state of South Carolina. The Center has received nationwide attention hosting numerous on-site visitors and requests for telephone surveys from other states looking to implement the service in their area. The Center also addresses the needs of visitor and county residents who transact business with the City of Columbia daily.

Today

The Columbia-Richland Communications Center currently has seventy seven (77) positions. A Deputy Director position was added to the Center in 2007. The Deputy Director oversees the daily operations of the Communications Center by performing a variety of complex administrative, supervisory, technical, and professional public safety work. The increase in staff has allowed the Center to specialize positions with the goal of relieving the Telecommunicators from having to perform the duties of both Call-Taker and Dispatcher. It is the intention of the Director to achieve a staffing level that will allow the Telecommunicators to devote all of their time to focusing on the needs of the emergency responders.