Published: June 19, 2009 11:53 pm      

911 chief says there are no scare tactics

Don’t burn bridges, DeVore tells Allegany County dispatchers

CUMBERLAND — The acting director of the Allegany County Joint Communications Division says that emergency dispatchers are not being threatened or warned to toe the company line. Instead, the message to be conveyed was one of patience.

Dick DeVore said an e-mail to the two dozen dispatchers employed at the county 911 center at Constitution Park on Monday expressing his support for their position in “difficult times.”

DeVore said Thursday the e-mail was “not to threaten anybody. I want them to be cautious (and) let their actions speak for themselves.”

Dispatchers had met with county officials recently and earlier this month gave acting County Administrator David Eberly a tour of the facility and an idea of what their daily responsibilities include. The talks come just after Public Safety Union Local 1521 of the American Federal of State, County and Municipal Employees, which includes sheriff’s deputies, animal control and the detention center as well as dispatchers, all agreed to extend the current contracts with the county to avoid negotiations in the economic downturn.

DeVore told the dispatchers he understands how they might feel “forgotten or unimportant” but “I can honestly say that it is not the case with Deputy Chief (Bobby) Dick or me. We have both had an opportunity to manage this operation and understand the critical yet challenging nature of your job.”

DeVore ended the letter with this: “I just throw caution to the wind that you tread carefully and diligently so as not to burn those bridges that you have begun to build.”

Andrew Mackert, recently elected president of Public Safety Union Local 1521, called the e-mail a “scare tactic.” Mackert said it was an effort to quell employees concerns, some of which have been made public through recent Times-News coverage.

Those concerns have included long working hours, working with supervisors who are not trained on police, fire and medical call responsibilities and outdated computer software, among other issues. Mackert provided the Times-News a comprehensive two-page list of duties and responsibilities.

“It’s way too much for three or four dispatchers” on a given shift, Mackert said.

DeVore didn’t deny that a dispatcher’s job is a stressful one — but it’s one of which he has a thorough understanding. He’s been employed with county government for more than 24 years, including 13 years as a dispatcher. He also spent 20 years as chief of the Ellerslie Volunteer Fire Department.

“I truly, truly appreciate what it is to be a dispatcher,” DeVore said, “because I have sat in that seat. I know what their struggles are.”

DeVore said he believes his management style is one that “could be abused” but has resulted in “three or four” grievances filed by employees over the past seven years.

The dispatchers’ concerns aren’t all about wages, he said. Some are about quality of life. DeVore said he helps workers attend important family functions, by reconfiguring the schedule.

It’s things like that, DeVore said, which supplement a dispatcher’s salary and daily stress.

“They’re working in a job where the minimum standard of performance is perfection,” DeVore said. “The public doesn’t know 911 exists until you need to call it.”

Mackert noted he feels dispatchers have “made strides” in recent talks with DeVore and other county officials that allow workers to experience more tolerable working conditions.

DeVore emphasized that there are issues to be addressed but “the public is not in any danger of not getting services.”

“That’s never been the case,” he said.

DeVore said the division has experienced “growing pains,” including the 911 consolidation in July 2005.

“We knew this was going to take time,” DeVore said. “But we’re getting better everyday.”

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.



Editor’s note: The following was sent to dispatchers at the Allegany County Joint Communications Division on June 15 from Dick DeVore, acting director.



Let me start off by saying that I know these are difficult times. The economy has played havoc on many people in a variety of different ways. With that being said, I also understand that often dispatchers, offset from the hustle bustle of the day to day interaction with other county employees, feel forgotten or unimportant. I can honestly say that is not the case with Deputy Chief Dick or me. We have both had an opportunity to manage this operation and understand the critical yet challenging nature of your job. Day in and day out you are faced with challenges that, as quick thinkers, you are able to over come. That is purely because you are a special breed of people. I believe that the County Administrator clearly understands the challenges and nature of your job. However, as I stated before, these are difficult economic times. You have made great inroads in stating your case. You clearly have my support. I know you have support from Deputy Chief Dick. You have positioned yourself well. I just throw caution to the wind that you tread carefully and diligently so as not to burn those bridges that you have begun to build. Allow your professionalism to guide you through these times.



Dick DeVore, Chief

Emergency Management Division

Allegany County Department of Public Safety