FORT WORTH, Texas — The Fort Worth Police Communications Division presented new 911 hiring data to city council Tuesday.
The informal report details 39 vacancies, with 36 open call taker positions and three dispatcher positions. Fort Worth Communications Division Capt. Robin Krouse told WFAA those vacancies are out of a total of about 120 positions.
In addition, numbers show 13 people resigned so far in 2021, and five people were fired last month alone.
“If you want to do this job, we want you,” Krouse said. "In my opinion, the person that makes a good call-taker is someone who is compassionate. You have to be able to realize that people that call here need our help."
They received over 400 applications during the last application posting, but only eight people should be ready to start on August 30, thanks to a lengthy application and background process, followed by several weeks of training.
“It takes a special person to come in here and sit and listen over the phone to some of the things that are happening to our citizens,” said Krouse.
WFAA has interviewed Fort Worth residents who have reported being put on hold after calling 911.
“Oh, I feel for them,” Krouse said. “I absolutely do. The goal is to have no one go to hold. We have to face the reality that we are short-handed.”
As outlined in the informal report, here are a few of the changes the communications division is implementing:
- Added the fire department’s number to the hold message for fire and medical emergencies.
- Working with an outside vendor to bring in temporary employees
- Utilizing limited and light-duty officers (those who have been injured) to answer non-emergency calls
In addition, they’re leaning on the employees they still have.
“We’re asking them to work overtime. We’re asking them to change their shifts,” Krouse said. “I’m very proud of them.”
Interested in applying? Want more information about the application process? Call the non-emergency number at (817) 392-4222 or check online for job openings.