A program to consolidate the region’s emergency communications services drew fresh criticism this month following the hiring of an executive director to oversee the transition.
Steve Reinke, former director of the Deschutes County 911 Service District in Oregon, has been hired to oversee the integration of emergency communication services across the county into a single communications center, operating under the proposed “SPOCOM” public authority. Supporters of the move, particularly the SPOCOM board, say that consolidating emergency communication services into one center will improve response times, as well as interagency communication, by reducing call transfers.
However, some Spokane City Council members and 911 dispatchers say the concerns of current employees should have been addressed prior to the hiring.