Putnam 911 Director Wants Next Budget To Include Two New Dispatchers

Putnam County 911 Director Penny Foister wants more dispatcher positions budgeted in the next fiscal year.

Foister said she would like to see two additional positions, one paid by the county. The other paid by the 911 department.

“That will make our power shift where we got two positions last year those dispatchers work from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.,” Foister said. “So if we can get two more positions, that will make that a 24 hour shift.”

Foister said the department currently employs 14 full-time dispatchers. Foister said they answer some 200 calls daily, a steady increase over the past several years. Foister said the call volume and a 24 hour power shift are the main reasons for the request.

“If you ever hang out in dispatch, you will see four dispatchers in there is a whole lot better than three,” Foister said. “Hopefully, we can get that approved.”

Foister said each week, seven dispatchers work. Three cover from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Three more pick up at 6:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. Then, one works a power shift from 11:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.