Ohio Highway Patrol completes dispatch-hub project

Article published March 24, 2009
Patrol completes dispatch-hub project
By LAREN WEBER
BLADE STAFF WRITER

The Ohio Highway Patrol in northwest Ohio has completed the consolidation of its dispatch centers begun in August as part of a statewide effort to reduce overtime costs and make better use of available technology.

The two dispatching hubs in District 1 are at the patrol's Bowling Green and Van Wert posts, each of which handle calls for six counties, Staff Lt. Mike Sharp of the district headquarters in Findlay said.

The consolidation was completed this month and Lieutenant Sharp said the benefits have been noticeable, including a significant reduction in overtime costs. "We've paid virtually no overtime at the [Van Wert] dispatch center since the initial consolidation in August," Lieutenant Sharp said. "We look for that to go down to no overtime in the entire district now that we're fully consolidated."

Each of the patrol's 10 districts have completed the consolidation except District 6, which is still working on the transition to the new model, patrol spokesman Sgt. Darrin Blosser said.

District 6 is in the central part of Ohio and includes Franklin County. Sergeant Blosser said the hope is that district will have the consolidation completed by the end of the year.

The consolidation was possible because of technological advances that allow troopers to be dispatched from fewer sites.
Computer-aided dispatching and
global positioning give dispatchers the whereabouts of each cruiser in the district.


They can prioritize calls and dispatch the closest troopers.

Combining the dispatch centers has helped eliminate problems that stemmed from having to staff six dispatch centers, Lieutenant Sharp said.

If a dispatcher calls in sick, another dispatcher can absorb the work rather than having to call someone in on overtime, Lieutenant Sharp said. "The dispatchers that remain pick up the slack," he said.

In addition, placing several dispatchers in one room allows them to assist one another with technical problems or answering phone calls. "They enjoy having someone right across the room that can assist them if things get hectic," Lieutenant Sharp said. "We've gotten very good reviews from the dispatchers."

Sergeant Blosser said the new system has created more efficient dispatching because dispatchers are able to easily share information with one another.

"If you're sitting beside somebody dispatching for a neighboring patrol post, you're hearing what they've got going on," he said. "You're aware of things going on rather than waiting for a phone call to be made, where if that phone call is not made, you're kind of left in the dark."

Contact Laren Weber at:
lweber@theblade.com
or 419.724.6050.