1. Summit County Communications Retirement By Melanie Crittenden February 17, 2016

2. History of Dispatch Retirement Currently Dispatchers are on Public Employee non-Contributory Retirement this is a 30 or 35 year retirement. Several dispatch agencies throughout Utah have fought for Public Safety Retirement for Dispatchers and each time it’s failed. Last year with broadband support including the Sheriff’s and Chiefs of Police Associations the Legislature authorized this act. HB115 passed in the 2015 Legislature to allow Dispatchers to have Public Safety Retirement. This is a 20 – 25 year retirement. July 1, 2015 State Dispatch Agencies were placed on Public Safety Retirement

3. What is a 911 Dispatcher? The 911 Dispatcher is the first “First Responder.” The dispatcher is the vital link, ensuring clear communication between all responders, affecting the safety of both the citizen in need and the police, fire and emergency medical personnel responding. Through our actions, we help save lives, protect property, and assist the public in their time of need.

4. Dispatch Certifications Utah POST (Police Officer Standards & Training) basic Telecommunicator for Dispatcher 40 hours IAED Emergency Medical Dispatch through International Academy of Emergency Dispatch 24 hours BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification) 12 hours AHA Health Care Provider CPR Certification 4 hours CTO (Certified Training Officer) Certifications 24 hours

5. URS Requirements for Public Safety Retirement for Dispatchers Must be a full time dispatcher (can have no other assignment) The employee receives crisis call for emergency personnel and dispatches the appropriate personnel and equipment. The employee makes urgent decisions affecting the life, health and welfare of the public and public safety employees Successful completion of Police Officers Standards & Training (POST) Basic Public Safety Dispatcher training and passed the required certification examination.

6. Why should we opt in? The cost of hiring a new dispatcher is high. Industry trends state it costs one and a half times a new employee’s salary to recruit and retain for one year. This is expected to help make this a career option that more people will consider. We could lose dispatchers to a State Agency, or other dispatching agency that opts in to this retirement. Park City adopted this resolution for their dispatchers. With the possible merge in the future this could cause disparity issues. We need to keep the dispatchers we have. Our Dispatchers are part of the Public Safety TEAM. Police and Fire will not get their calls unless the phone call is answered by dispatch.

7. Compassion Fatigue & PTSD Unresolved and untreated stress has a number of negative manifestations, including Compassion Fatigue, Burn Out, and in its most serious form, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Working in this industry for 30+ years is unthinkable. Our dispatchers need to see a light at the end of a long tunnel. We all deeply love our jobs and wouldn’t change it, but to have the option to retire earlier would make it that much more appealing.

8. Concerns if this resolution doesn’t get adopted today The Utah State Dispatch agencies across the state have already started this July 1, 2015. Staff is concerned that veteran employees will opt to work elsewhere where their retirement will benefit them more. It’s very hard to get and stay fully staffed. Need to process documents with Utah Retirement System for their approval.

9. Staff recommends Approve and sign this resolution authorizing Summit County Dispatchers to be placed on Utah Retirement Systems non-Contributory Public Safety Retirement effective as soon as possible. What’s the cost? For all 15 of our dispatchers the cost for this year is $83,875.12. This money was budgeted and approved by the Council in the 2016 budget.