Most of the op-portunities I have to communicate with the public about work related issues stem from concerns about service delivery, problems, or misunderstandings. While we always want to know about citizen’s concern regarding our performance, I am grateful to be able share some very good news about some very good things that have been happening in our Communication Division.

For many years I have shared your concerns about the staffing level of the Communications Division. Recently Commissioner’s Court acted on our request for more staff and approved an additional twenty-four positions for this Division. We are currently in the process of advertising these positions, testing candidates, and training those who have been hired. At this writing, we have hired ten new personnel. Unfortunately, we have also had some attrition and currently have nineteen open positions. Anyone interested in employment as a Communication Officer can call 713-921-8897 for employment information.

A number of other positive things have been, or are being, accomplished to improve working conditions, morale, and ultimately, the quality of service we render.

We have proposed a career development program for Communication Officers that is intended to improve salaries and benefits as well as to tie advancement to measurable performance indicators. We anticipate that if this program is approved, we will see a reduction in the traditionally high employee turnover in this job function.

We have purchased new computer equipment which will improve the efficiency of the dispatch function and will be faster and more reliable than our current, outdated equipment.

We have improved the working environment by installing new flooring, new workstations, and new chairs for communication personnel. The entire work environment is cleaner, more comfortable, and simply a nicer place to work.

We will soon be upgrading all 9-1-1 equipment. Among the major benefits of this upgrade will be our ability to dynamically assign personnel/workstations to either 9-1-1 or 713-221-6000 lines based on changing call demands.

We believe that the improvements we have made, are making, and are proposing will combine to allow us to more efficiently, effectively, and economically process emergency calls for service in order that the quality of life in our community can be improved.