Amid Communications Center Shortage, Falmouth Cops, Firefighters Asked To Field Calls

FALMOUTH, MA — A chain of resignations has left the Emergency Communications Center woefully understaffed since December, town officials said.

According to Falmouth officials, three full-time communications officers resigned in December, and another is starting a multi-month personal leave. The office is responsible for dispatching calls to the police and fire departments, as well as other local first responders.

In an effort to swiftly get the office back to full staffing levels, officials said conditional offers have been made for four full-time communications officers, who are pending background checks.

Pay increases and other benefits are also being negotiated with town officials, who hope those changes will lead to better recruiting and retention.

Officials said the per diem rate for temporary communications officers increased in December, increasing applications for the position. Eight people were hired on a per diem basis, all of whom have safety dispatch experience.

An offer has also been made to fill the vacant emergency communications director position, pending a background check and approval from the Select Board.

In the meantime, Falmouth Police Chief Jeff Lourie has been overseeing the communications center.

Others in the police department have also had to take on additional responsibilities due to the shortage.

Police officers have been asked to take overtime shifts to cover vacant dispatch shifts and, soon, firefighters will also be asked to do so. The fire department has been "directed" to begin training for that.

The Falmouth Firefighters Union Local 1397 balked at the ask, but town officials said they "received confirmation from the Executive Director of the Massachusetts State 911 Department that the Town is in full compliance with applicable state training regulations as a limited secondary Public Service Access Point," officials said.

The union on Friday filed an emergency motion in Barnstable Superior Court in an attempt to halt the plan, citing a lack of training for the firefighters and stating that it puts them "in precarious positions outside their assigned duties."

In the end, town officials said the longterm solution is to fill the full-time positions with full-time employees. In the interim, others will be asked to go outside their typical job description to fill in.