On the Radio

By Desiree Martinez

  As most of you have heard, we have a new manager up here in Communications.  Kurt Wallace was selected to be the new Communications manager.  He has a lot of great new ideas, and we are all very excited to have him as our new manager.  Our communications center is due to have a new CAD (computer aided dispatch) system in the upcoming year.  It will be an upgrade to the current system we are using now.  I’ve had the pleasure of viewing this new system and it is slightly different from the one our dispatch center is using now. Like all new computer systems, there is going to be some time to get used to this one. Most of the features look different than the system we have now.  Our CAD system is different from the one the field personnel use. Unfortunately there lies the problem in not communicating effectively with people who work in the field. The y tend to have a lot more information in calls then we have access to. The new system we are upgrading to should be more in line with what the field personnel use and make our job run more efficiently.  The city recently implemented Anaheim Alert which is a system used to notify citizens of road closures, power outages and any other emergency.  Were hoping that with this new program, emergency and non emergency calls will be decreased. 

     Three dispatchers have welcomed new babies into their families.  Congratulations to Kaydee Lawson, Maira Rubi, and Dianna Elbaba.   We also have a new dispatcher, Christina Segletes, wife of officer Bill Segletes.  Our dispatch center is still hiring for dispatchers and close to eighty people took the written examination.  Interviews will be held in the upcoming weeks.  The Communications Center will also be receiving new furniture including new consoles and new chairs.  We should be receiving those in the next few months. 

     Our dispatch center was recently recognized for the CPRA (California Public-Safety Radio Association) awards.  Dispatch Teams 1 and 5 took over all second place for their role in the Officer involved shooting of Officer Tim Smith.  Dispatch Team 2 received special recognition for their role in the Freeway Complex Fires.  We’re very proud to hold the honor of receiving these nominations and awards.