Dispatchers save seconds...
seconds save lives.

We, as public safety dispatchers, are the first link in getting you the assistance you need.  We
take pride in knowing that, at the end of the day, we helped someone, somewhere, when they
needed us most.  We know that without you, and the information you provide, we would not be as
successful in our attempts to help.  Thank you for taking the time to learn about what it is we do.

The West Chester Township communications center is made up of 13
dispatchers who work various shifts, including weekends and holidays 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.  

The center dispatches for a total of 69 police officers, 5 fire stations with 10
districts, and assorted other departments as needed (i.e. township
maintenance, road crews).

The staffing of the communications center varies from day to day.  The
center is always staffed by at least two communications officers, and typically
there are three working.  We are currently working towards a goal of having
the center staffed at all times by three communications officers, with the
option of a fourth

The communications center uses a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.
Communications officers enter the information received from 911 and
non-emergency telephone lines into the computer which allows them to
check for previous hazards or prior calls from the location, while also
monitoring the officers' location and status through this system.

Communications officers monitor several different radio channels that
directly link them to the police, fire, EMS, and the Maintenance Department
as they are needed.

The communications officers also use a state computer through which they
can check driving records and vehicle registrations or enter warrants or
reports of stolen cars for the officers. They have the capability of contacting
any law enforcement agency throughout the United States through this
system.