It is estimated that on average, every individual in the US will call for emergency assistance at least twice during their lifetime. We are usually the first contact you have during your request for assistance during an emergency call for assistance. We are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
We would like to provide you with information about the Center, including what happens when you report a crime and what questions and information you will be asked to give when you call 9-1-1.
Don’t hesitate to contact us anytime you have a question, comment or suggestion. We encourage your input.
Group tours of the 911 Operations Center and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) are available by appointment. An appointment can be made by calling Carolyn Lewis at 980-7227.
Police/Fire/EMS Emergency | 9-1-1 |
Emergency No | 409-832-1234 |
Non-Emergency | 409-880-3865 |
Police Reports via Telephone | 409-880-3862 |
Fire/EMS Non-Emergency | 409-880-3901 |
The 911 Operations Center will remain focused on our delivery of service with courtesy, respect and concern for all citizens and emergency responders. We will strive to provide service as quickly as possible, with accuracy as a primary consideration. We will remain dedicated to consistently aid all emergency responders in their quest of protecting life and saving property by deploying emergency responders qualified to assist those in time of need.
Our Telecommunications Operators perform a crucial function for the City as part of our dispatch team so our hiring process is more extensive than other positions. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact our Training Coordinator at 409-980-7227.
Hiring Process
Below is an outline of the steps in the hiring process. Each step must be successfully completed to progress to the next phase.
1. Applications: Check our jobs
2. You will be notified by Human Resources after the initial review of your application is completed and processed. Depending on qualifications, Human Resources will then contact you for a typing test and a computer-based simulation test.
3. Background Investigation – Upon successfully completion of simulation and typing test, the applicant will receive and return a background booklet. Results of background investigation will be reviewed by 911 Manager and Training Coordinator
4. Visit Communications Center – Applicants will spend a minimum of one hour visiting the Communications Center.
5. Formal Interview – Those Applicants that successfully pass the background investigation will be asked to appear before a panel of 911 Operations Center staff for an interview.
6. Applicants who successfully complete Polygraph, Physical Exam, Drug Screen and Psychological Exam will receive an offer of employment by the Human Resources department.
The 911 Operations Center is committed to providing training that enables employees to efficiently and accurately perform their duties. The 911 OC also encourages employees to attend additional training to maintain or improve the level of service provided to the City, citizens, and fellow employees. If an employee has experience with another agency, their training will be consistent with that of a new recruit. An exception to this may be to allow accelerated training to that person who has experience with our Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and/or radio system and those who were previously employed with this agency.
Training for 911 Call Takers and/or Dispatchers
Dispatchers are required to make quick decisions; coordinate multiple tasks at one time; have reasoning skills and the ability to maintain control of a situation. It is the nature of the job that, at any time, an emergency will require a dispatcher’s full and immediate attention and response. Individuals with the ability to remain calm, professional and even-tempered during emergency situations are the candidates necessary for this challenging, yet rewarding, career.
Call Takers / Dispatch Trainees
All Trainees must complete a two (2) week Orientation period in a classroom setting. The Trainee will learn some of the basics: Center structure, general communication duties, the geography of the city and computer operations.
Trainees must then complete three (3) additional structured on-the-job phases. During each phase, the trainee will be supervised by a 911 Center Trainer. During the nine (9) weeks of Phase One, the Trainee will learn more of the basics: Communication equipment, Center forms, manuals/books, call types and the appropriate line of questioning of a caller. The Trainee will begin taking actual calls and “working the radio” in the phase. During the twelve (12) weeks of Phase Two, the Trainee will complete tasks that are progressively more difficult and advanced. The Trainee will learn to dispatch fundamentals, as well as performing the duties of the Call Taker. Phase Three sees the Trainee learning the State “teletype” system as well as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system. The Trainee will perform the duties of Dispatcher and Call Taker during this final phase. Then the Trainee must complete the Shadow Phase which is two (2) weeks of training consisting of performing the duties of Dispatcher and Call Taker learned in the three (3) training phases with little to no assistance from their Trainer.
All new hires, successfully completing phased training, will serve in a probationary status until their one (1) year anniversary.
Law Enforcement Call Types
Proper prioritization of calls is essential. The demand for responders may exceed the number of available response units. Calls that are in progress or just occurred will typically be handled first, while delayed or low priority calls may be “held” for a period of time. Law enforcement calls may require other emergency service providers, with EMS being the most common. Telecommunicators will help coordinate these responses.
Language Lines
9-1-1 operators are able to answer to calls in languages other than English with the assistance of a third party service with translators who speak various languages and will join the call to assist.
When should you call 9-1-1?
9-1-1 should ONLY be used for an EMERGENCY. An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police/sheriff, the fire department or an ambulance. Calls to 9-1-1 for non-emergencies tie up valuable resources and delay service to people who need help right away.