New study shows consolidating 911 call centers in Milwaukee County may improve efficiency

MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- In the future, Milwaukee County could have fewer 911 call centers within its borders and that could be a good thing. A new study is out and it details how dispatch operations could be improved.

At the Bayside Communications Center, the dispatch calls come in from seven different communities. The study questions whether some other Milwaukee County communities should consolidate their call centers.

Christine Westrich directs the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management -- an office that's exploring the possibility of handling emergency calls from multiple communities.

"Often what will occur is if a cell caller is calling from one municipality, it will connect to a 911 center is not the appropriate dispatcher," said Westrich.

While Westrich says transfers happen quickly, every second matters in this line of work. That's why the Public Policy Forum was asked to look for possible solutions.

"You would look at an area the size and the population of Milwaukee County, and I don't think there's any question that having 13 individuals public safety answering points is a lot," said Rob Henken, Public Policy Forum.

Henken says it might make sense for various suburbs to consolidate their dispatch centers with the county -- but he adds that's a major change and in the meantime, cities and villages should already be looking to unite their computer systems.

"So that the Wauwatosa dispatch center can have access and see the actual CAD screen for Milwaukee or for West Allis," said Henken.

Which would allow one city to dispatch first responders from another if they're the closest ones to an emergency.

Westrich says she'd love to expand and include other communities, but only if it works for everyone.

"I can't emphasize that enough, that the mayor, the fire chief, the police chief all have to be in agreement. It's going to meet the needs of their unique citizens," said Westrich.

The forum says linking up those systems would cost about $1.3 million. Henken says if the city, and multiple communities all pitch in it could be a very good investment.