Becker County Fire Chiefs Concerned with Staffing Levels at County’s Dispatch Center

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – A group of Fire Chiefs in Becker County are concerned with staffing levels at the county’s 911 dispatch center.

Fire Chiefs from Audubon, Detroit Lakes, Lake Park, Elbow Lake and others voiced their concern during Tuesday’s Becker County Commission meeting. The group’s main concern was that often only one dispatcher is handling calls for 10 fire departments, local police departments, EMS, rescue squads, DNR, State Patrol and Becker County Sheriff’s office in Becker County.

“One staff member in that center for a shift everyday is not cutting it, people are being put on hold, people are not getting the response they need,” said Detroit Lakes Fire Chief Ryan Swanson.

The Becker County Fire Chief’s Association is asking for additional dispatchers to be hired and trained to ensure at least two dispatchers are available at all times to answer calls in the county. Currently one dispatcher handles the majority of calls 2am-8am weekdays and 2am-10am on the weekends.

The Becker County board of commissioners were not opposed to the idea, but believed to hire additional dispatchers would require an increase in the current levy. Another option would be to coordinate with neighboring counties and possibly the White Earth Indian Reservation in Mahnomen to help take calls.

The Commissioners will review in committee and hope to return with recommendations in the near future.