General Information
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Osage County 9-1-1 is a division of County government formed by a vote of the citizens in
2001. The County Commission and a 9-1-1 Advisory Board oversees the operation of the 9-1-1
system.
The Commission employs a 9-1-1 Director to implement the policies and
procedures and to manage the day-to-day operation of the 9-1-1 system. The
9-1-1 director
hires and supervises the staff
to ensure the efficient operation of the 9-1-1 system. |
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Osage County 9-1-1 is funded by a half-cent sales tax. This money is collected by the Osage County Treasurer and is forwarded to Osage County 9-1-1 each month. This revenue pays for salaries and operational expenses.
Initial training requirements in the state of Missouri for 9-1-1
dispatchers who answer 9-1-1 calls that come into a public safety answering point (PSAP)
are as follows:
- Police Telecommunicator
- Fire Telecommunicator
- Emergency Medical Services Telecommunicator
- Joint Communications Center Telecommunicator
Osage County 9-1-1 dispatchers receive specialized training to provide
information to callers that often improves the outcome of an emergency. Emergency Medical
Dispatchers (EMDs) are trained to provide pre-arrival instructions to callers. Medical
emergencies are the most common use of pre-arrival instructions. Other pre-arrival
instructions include evacuation and survival techniques in a burning building or exiting
and/or barricading techniques with callers involved in a domestic disturbance.
Not all 9-1-1 centers provide EMD, and Osage County is very proud to
be among those that provide this life-saving service. Just staying on the phone with callers
so they are not "alone" while awaiting the arrival of responders is a benefit.
Osage County 9-1-1 dispatchers also receive some of the following
training:
- Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES training)
- CPR
- Telecommunicator Liability
- Suicide Intervention
- Domestic Violence Intervention
- Hazardous Materials Preparedness
- Hostage Negotiations
All persons employed as a 9-1-1 dispatchers are also required to complete 12 hours of
ongoing training annually, so long as such person engages in the occupation.
A minimum of two dispatchers are on duty 24x7, 365 days a year.
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