The Rock Island City Council is set to discuss a plan to address staffing shortages at its emergency dispatch center, RICOMM, during a meeting on Monday.
Key Points:
- Current Staffing Crisis: RICOMM is operating at only 67% capacity with eight full-time dispatchers instead of the authorized twelve.
- Impact on Staff: The shortage has caused mandatory overtime, denied time off, and increased stress on existing personnel. Although two new dispatchers are being trained, it takes four to five months for them to be fully operational.
Proposed Solution:
- The city is considering a contract with Moetivations, an on-demand dispatcher service, similar to travel nursing agencies.
- Cost: The contract would not exceed $174,898, covering two experienced dispatchers for up to six months. This cost will be absorbed by salary savings from vacant positions, requiring no additional city funding.
- Next Steps: The Council will hold a roll call vote on the proposal in their upcoming meeting.
For more details, you can refer to the official city meeting.
