In the present day, it is almost automatic for a person to call 911 when there is an emergency or something out of the ordinary. The caller expects to speak to one of the emergency dispatchers and have help on the way almost immediately. Usually it is.
It wasn't always this way, though. The Moniteau County Emergency Dispatch office has only been in operation for 18 years.
Not only has Emergency Dispatch been at the other end of the telephone at the simple dialing of "911", the technological advances in general, more accurate location methods, upgrades in computer assisted dispatch, the telephone systems and other resources have brought help to those in need much quicker as the years have gone by.
Continual upgrades to increase efficiency of the 911 Emergency Dispatch Center, with the latest technology and additional training, enable the dispatchers to assist callers with faster and more accurate responses. The Computer Aided Dispatch system put into service nearly three years ago added to the overall efficiency of the center. A major advance in dispatching was "Phase II" which allows a dispatcher to determine the cell phone number and, if GPS equipped, the cell phone location.
There are other advances, including computers, Network clocks for the dispatch room and the new Eventide recorder. There are also upgrades in the mapping program by the dispatchers. Future plans include a radio console software upgrade.
Since emergency services may be needed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, a number of dispatchers are on staff on a full-time or part-time basis.
Corey Sullivan is 911 Administrator and Assistant Administrator is Samantha Lewis. Current full-time dispatchers include Shelby Barnett, David Bledsoe, Becky Forsythe, Jennifer Harris, Milisa Hagemeyer, Amy Garbarz, Sullivan and Lewis. Part-time dispatchers include: Vic Maurer, Kevin Morse, Bill Roll and Ian Wirts.