A study of staffing levels at the Ramsey County 911 call center will need to be done quickly, according to a request for proposals expected to be approved by county commissioners this morning.
The county wants an experienced consultant to analyze staffing and quality of service at the Emergency Communications Center, which merged Maplewood, Ramsey County and St. Paul 911 operations about a year ago. The center serves 16 communities and about 500,000 residents.
Consultants need to submit proposals by Oct. 29, and the board will choose someone soon after. The goal is to have a detailed report by April 1 so changes, if needed, can be included for in the next budget request.
Scott Williams, the county's director of emergency operations, expects the study to help with planning because there will be a year's worth of actual data to review. Theoretical information was used when developing staffing levels and procedures before the center opened.
The desire for a study, likely to cost about $100,000, came after complaints by Sheriff Bob Fletcher that the center is understaffed and that workers are stressed.
The county considers a full staff to be 114. Fletcher has said that as many as 20 more than that are needed. Currently, there are about 100 employees.
Fletcher said this summer that he would take control of the center from the county if things didn't improve.
That raised the ire of the county manager's office, as well St. Paul city officials.
