Kansas City Takes Steps to Improve 911 Response Times
Kansas City, Missouri has been facing a significant issue with long hold times for 911 calls, and it’s a concern that residents have voiced for quite some time. During a recent meeting held by the Board of Police Commissioners, a consultant hired by the police department shed some light on potential solutions. Mayor Quinton Lucas emphasized that this has been a pressing topic for over two years now, as other cities have managed to tackle similar issues effectively.
A Growing Problem of Non-Emergency Calls
One of the main topics discussed was the staggering number of non-emergency calls flooding the dispatch system. Believe it or not, Kansas City receives more than 500,000 non-emergency calls every year! That’s a lot of unnecessary noise for the system. The consultant proposed a solution that involves directing these non-emergency calls to a program called REACH (Responding with Empathetic Alternative and Community Health), which focuses on community response and pre-arrest diversion. This would allow true emergencies to be prioritized and answered promptly.
What the Changes Could Mean
The consultant believes that by redirecting non-emergency calls to programs like REACH and the city’s 311 system, Kansas City could cut down the volume of these calls by about 50%. This could free up precious time and resources for actual 911 emergencies, which is exactly what everyone wants – a safer, faster response in times of need.
Enhancing Technology and Staffing Solutions
In addition to the proposed call diversion, there are other exciting ideas on the table. The city is considering hiring a dedicated 911 coordinator whose job would be to oversee the system and pinpoint more efficient ways to get help to those who really need it. It was also mentioned that implementing cad to cad integration could be a game-changer. This technology would allow different cities to share information and effectively manage calls during peak times. Picture this: a dispatcher from Raytown, Missouri could take a call from Kansas City when the call volume spikes. It’s a model that could bring much-needed flexibility to the system.
Insights From Nearby Locations
While Kansas City’s average hold time for 911 calls is currently more than 39 seconds, Independence, Missouri has been able to maintain a 15-second window with just a third of the staffing. Mayor Lucas expressed frustration over this situation, stating, “That is something I think we all find unacceptable, it needs to be addressed, and we’ll continue to push until it is.”
Collaborative Efforts on the Horizon
Another initiative discussed involved integrating police and fire service operations, a strategy that has proven effective in nearby St. Louis. Mayor Lucas emphasized that cities across the nation, as well as larger suburbs in the Kansas City region, have figured out ways to optimize their emergency response systems. He believes Kansas City should be able to do the same.
Looking Ahead
When asked if a concrete plan could be rolled out any time soon, Mayor Lucas didn’t hold back, saying, “God help us, I hope there is.” He added that many more cases of people being on hold with 911 need to occur or, worse yet, more lawsuits need to happen before real action would be taken. The message is clear: there’s a commitment to improving the situation, and conversations will persist until solutions are found.
As Kansas City residents await these changes, one thing is certain: the city is determined to enhance the way emergency services are delivered, ensuring help is just a phone call away when it’s truly needed.
