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Welcome to the webpage for the St Charles County Department of Dispatch and Alarm, dispatching for nine fire districts, one fire department and a county-wide ambulance district in St Charles County, MO. We are responsible for emergency communications for all field units that protect approximately 325,000 citizens from 34 fire stations and 15 ambulance bases strategically located throughout the county.  With twenty full-time and six part-time dispatchers supported by an administrative staff of six, we process approximately 42,000 calls for service per year. We handle this task with four crews of five dispatchers who work 12 hour shifts. Each crew is comprised of a shift supervisor and four calltaker/dispatchers, at least one of whom is specially trained to act as a trainer and lead dispatcher in the case of absence of the supervisor.  Each of our dispatchers has been trained in the use of the Medical Priority Dispatch (MPDS) and Fire Priority Dispatch (FPDS) Systems. In a nutshell, these internationally-recognized systems allow our dispatchers to ask pertinent questions of our callers to ensure that the most appropriate response is sent as quickly as possible to any call for service. From a heart attack to a house fire, we are able to quickly determine the extent of the situation and send the correct units to assist the victim and/or mitigate the situation. In order to use the MPDS and FPDS systems, our dispatchers must undergo a 24 hour training program in order to use each of the systems and then continue to receive a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education each year. Our agency is able to provide well over the minimum training, with each dispatcher receiving approximately 40 hours of ongoing training per year.

Technology within our communication center is of the utmost importance. The Department of Dispatch and Alarm uses a robust, highly reliable Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to dispatch the closest appropriate fire and ems personnel. In addition to the CAD system, Dispatch and Alarm also utilizes a Mobile field application that is installed in every front line fire and ems apparatus. Utilizing this application allows field personnel instant access to real time incident information.

Our Vision is to be the...

Professional communications link between the citizens and the public safety departments we serve; 
Through compassionate, effective, efficient handling of requests for service, assistance and resources.
 

Our Mission...  

Through training, standards, and open communication with those we serve;
We shall strive to constantly improve our daily performance in handling each task and request;
Further, in meeting these goals, we shall act with compassion, respect and courtesy for all.
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