In a move aimed to streamline emergency services, the City of Fort Worth is actively seeking a 911 communications administrator, a role that’s expected to become a lynchpin for the City’s 911 dispatch system. The newly created position is a direct response to findings that suggest the current system, operated by separate dispatch centers for Fort Worth Police (FWPD), Fire (FWFD), and MedStar, lacks a crucial point of accountability. The city's initiative, to fix and fine-tune the 911 service, was reported by the City of Fort Worth.
The aim is to significantly reduce call transfer times and to, eventually, establish a co-located Communications Center housing FWPD, FWFD, and MedStar under one roof. According to the City of Fort Worth, the focus areas of this initiative include infrastructure and technology improvements, 911 processes and data refinement, collaborative Police, Fire, and MedStar operations, as well as staffing and staff care.
As outlined in the news release by the City of Fort Worth, this decision is part of a broader vision to introduce more robust customer services, integrating emergency response with mental health support and a streamlined 311 call system. The establishment of a new emergency communications department, led by the 911 communications administrator, will significantly contribute to the evolution of the City’s public safety communications strategy.
Assistant City Manager Valerie Washington emphasized the importance of this hiring, telling the City of Fort Worth that “Hiring a 911 communications administrator is just the start of getting the EMS system up and running within the City of Fort Worth and our Fire Department”. Washington further stated that the development of this department will “not only enhance the continued service to our residents and visitors, but also ensure quality customer service that the City of Fort Worth is known for”
Fitch & Associates have been tasked with overseeing the transition of EMS from MedStar to FWFD, a process that is projected to take between 12 to 18 months and is inclusive of a communication strategy to keep stakeholders and system users in the loop. This transition is also a featured item in the City’s Fiscal Year 2025 recommended budget.
