Brittany Barham is one of five contract dispatchers working under a six month contract to help Brown County deal with staffing shortages and forced overtime in its 911 center. PC: Fox 11 Online
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An outside agency will conduct a study of the Brown County 911 dispatch center as worries mount about an ongoing staffing and morale crisis.
Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach announced Monday he is directing his administration to create a 911 Study Commission, which will be made up of former Brown County law enforcement officers and current and former members of the Brown County Board of Supervisors.
Streckenbach said an independent outside firm will complete interviews with current dispatchers and present its findings to the commission for consideration. The commission will then make recommendations to Streckenbach’s administration.
“Ensuring we can continue to recruit and retain qualified 911 professionals is essential, and this Commission will help guide that effort,” Streckenbach said in a news release.
Over the last several months, numerous Brown County dispatchers have come forward about issues plaguing the 911 center. Dispatchers have repeatedly expressed their frustration with staffing shortages, fluctuating schedules, forced overtime and low morale, leading to critical safety concerns. Recent resignations have only worsened the problem.
As of April 2, a one-time sign-on bonus of up to $6,000, depending on experience, is being offered to successful applicants. Streckenbach said he is also seeking a one-time retention bonus of up to $3,500 per employee based on years of service to go along with the 2% retention readjustment bonus already built into the department’s budget.
Comments