Joe Gaudett, Director of Emergency Communications for the City of Stamford, Conn., says his three biggest focuses right now are keeping his staff safe and secure; having enough resources not only in terms of people within the call center but out for response as well; and using technology to continue to function and respond safely and efficiently to serve the citizens of Stamford.
“It’s about increasing effectiveness and performance while decreasing expenses,” Gaudett says. Of course, it’s a lot easier to say it then to do it. Emergency communications dispatchers and first responders around the country have to deal with unanticipated events and issues regularly, but particularly in 2020 amid an influx of emergency health concerns, domestic violence, social unrest and spikes in crime, their job has a renewed focus.