Transfer of 911 operations projected to improve service for Vestavia callers

The City of Vestavia Hills could complete the dissolution of its current emergency communication system as early as the beginning of June as it transfers dispatch services to Shelby County 911 in Pelham.

Following the transfer, the City will continue to provide emergency services. Vestavia Police and Fire Departments will still respond, but Shelby 911 dispatchers would receive calls placed by Vestavia Hills residents.

The Vestavia Hills City Council approved the transfer earlier this year as it faced an impending need to upgrade Emergency 911 equipment in its Communication Department, Fire Chief Jim St. John said.

St. John, currently serving as interim city manager following the departure of Randy Robertson in March, said the department has been using the same equipment since it was founded in 1998. To upgrade the equipment would cost approximately $1.5 million. Coupled with the annual $1.5 million cost of running the dispatch, the Council chose to explore the City’s options.

St. John said the transfer of services could reduce the City’s annual costs for dispatch by approximately $1 million and provide other benefits over the current system. Namely, using Shelby 911 would increase the number of people available to answer emergency calls for Vestavia Hills residents. It would also provide better-trained dispatchers to answer calls.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to get better service at half the cost by adopting a model that’s used everywhere else,” St. John said.

With Jefferson County approving the personnel changes, St. John said some employees had already transferred to other agencies and some had been placed at positions within the city. In addition, St. John said representatives from Shelby County 911 told him the company intended to hire seven dispatchers to accommodate the increased volume of calls from Vestavia and had already taken three from City Communications.

“So far, it’s gone really well for people,” he said. “We almost have everybody placed.”