### Meeting Overview The Whatcom Administrative Board met on September 26, 2024, to consider adding two new agencies to Whatcom 911's dispatch services: Western Washington University Police Department and the Department of Corrections. The board unanimously approved both additions and approved a budget that includes one additional full-time dispatcher position. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Whatcom 911 (Whatcom):** The regional emergency communications center serving multiple law enforcement agencies in Whatcom County, providing 911 call-taking and dispatch services. **User Fees:** The charges paid by each agency using Whatcom 911's services to fund operations, calculated based on call volume and complexity. **Administrative Board:** The governing body overseeing Whatcom 911, comprised of representatives from member agencies including law enforcement chiefs, elected officials, and administrators. **FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):** A standard measure for employee positions - one FTE equals one full-time employee working standard hours. **Minimum Staffing:** The lowest number of dispatchers required to be working at any given time to maintain safe operations and response times. **Value Engineering:** The process of reducing costs by eliminating non-essential features while maintaining core functionality and safety requirements. **Console Room:** The main dispatch floor where emergency communications operators take 911 calls and dispatch first responders using specialized computer and radio equipment. **Interoperability:** The ability of different agencies' radio systems and equipment to communicate with each other during emergencies. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Donnell Tanksley | Whatcom County Sheriff | | Holly Heffernan | Bellingham City Council Member | | Rebecca Martin | Whatcom 911 Board Member | | Julie Knight | Whatcom 911 Staff | | Jason Watson | Whatcom 911 Deputy Director | | Joel Pfahler | Interim Co-Director of Public Works | | Chief Potts | Western Washington University Police | | Chris Kelford | Department of Corrections Representative | | Michelle Thomas | Guild Secretary/Public Education Coordinator | | Adam Hutch | Shks Architects | ### Background Context Whatcom 911 has been operating with minimum staffing levels unchanged since 2000 despite serving over 65,000 additional residents. The current dispatch center is severely understaffed - it's been 4,466 days …