While the city is budgeted for 187 operators, only 155 are filled - and 29% of those operators are on long term disability. While that sounds like a lot (and it is) its not really surprising given the stresses of the job.
Over half of all 911 calls are not genuine emergencies, and cell phones have only made matters worse...
The high volume of 911 calls — which has increased in part due to the proliferation of cell phones — also adds to the stress of the job (says Bob Smith from the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials).
“Ten years ago, if you have a wreck on the interstate you may get only one phone call,” he said. “Now, everyone driving by calls to report the accident.”
San Francisco has become the latest City to introduce a 311 number, which is what you should call in a non-emergency situation.And BTW, if you're looking for a job...
San Francisco pays approximately $54,314 to $66,014 for 911 call takers, according to a newspaper advertisement for the job. Applicants are required to have a high school diploma or to have passed the general equivalency test, and have had one year of paid work in a public contact position in addition to an ability to type 40 words per minute.
Read the SF Examiner article
1 comment:
While the city is budgeted for 187 operators, only 155 are filled - and 29% of those operators are on long term disability.
Oh really?! What could possibly be the reason(s) for that? What an absurd disgrace much of public employment has become -- a holding tank for every sort of shirking fraud artist.
Post a Comment