Baltimore County officials say they are using firefighters, paramedics and police officers to temporarily fill staffing gaps at its 911 center. Eight employees from other departments were transferred to the 911 center in September and will be working there until March, county spokeswoman Ellen Kobler said.
Six employees who once worked for 911 but are now police officers, firefighters or paramedics are on temporary assignment as dispatchers. Two others, including a public works employee, are working temporarily in administrative roles at the 911 center.
Baltimore County has had difficulty maintaining staffing levels at the 911 center, which employs both call-takers who answer emergency calls and dispatchers who assign officers and fire crews to respond to calls.