By Brennan David, Columbia Daily Tribune
Original publication date: Jan. 11

Columbia, Mo. — Calls to the local 911 operations center increased for a third- straight year in 2010.

The Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management is reporting a 1.14 percent increase from 2009 totals, with 71,092 emergency calls for the year. The increase is the second consecutive year calls topped the 70,000 mark, according to a news release.

“Citizens are very fortunate to have operators that are well- trained,” office director Zim Schwartze said in the release. “They do an excellent job with the high number of calls.”

The numbers continue to show how busy communications operators are each day, Schwartze said. The calls break down to an average of about eight 911 calls every hour. That means the operations center receives nearly 195 emergency calls in a 24-hour day.

Those calls are in addition to all other non-emergency calls operators are trying to handle, she said. The 911 operations center received 272,449 calls that came in on non-emergency lines, a decrease of 6.2 percent, for 2010.

“We have made efforts this past year to reduce the number of administrative-type calls coming in to our center. … We are not to be used for directory assistance or for directions,” Schwartze said.

In 2010, operators handled nearly 349,000 total phone interactions.

Also, 911 calls from cell phones increased, from 65.3 percent in 2009 to 69.3 percent in 2010, Schwartze said, continuing a recent trend.

Two additional operators have been hired and are in training. Schwartze said she requested five new operators for the new budget year and said today the need for additional space is growing.

“Right now, we are at minimum staffing all the time,” she said.

The increasing number of calls received by the 911 center enhances the need for residents to remember 911 is to be used only for emergencies, crimes in progress and life-threatening situations, she said.

For other non-life-threatening situations requiring attention from a public safety department, the non-emergency number of 442- 6131 should be used.

About the Author
Reach Brennan David at 573/815-1718 or bpdavid@columbiatribune.com

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