Peer Counseling
The Peer Support Facilitator Team was implemented in 1998 to provide a peer-based support system for identifying workplace stress and potentially harmful stress responses. Facilitators were given instruction in areas such as the human stress response, concepts of Critical Incident Stress Debriefings, and the SAFER model - a process utilized to evaluate and assist the employee in crisis. Instruction was provided by Mr. Jack Herrmann, MSEd., NCC, and Ms. Sigrid Adler, CSW-R, of Strong Behavioral Health.
Consisting of dispatchers, telecommunicators, and supervisory staff, the function of the eighteen Peer Facilitators is varied. Facilitators offer their coworkers an ear to release frustrations and concerns following a stressful telephone call or traumatic situation they have encountered; Facilitators continuously interact with coworkers to recognize stress responses in hopes of identifying potentially severe stress problems; Facilitators can refer coworkers to professional off-site treatment through the Employee Assistance Program.
Peer Facilitators have received several positive comments for the work they do. The praises, while appreciated, are certainly not any means of measure for the program however. Facilitators receive satisfaction from simply knowing that they provide an important function for their coworkers. One of the most powerful tools that the Peer Facilitator Program provides is that of a team-building sort of family atmosphere among employees.
This support system is in place, and no matter how often or rarely it is utilized, it is invaluable to the welfare of our employees and the overall success of the Emergency Communications Department.
Public Awareness
The 911 Center is proud of our Public Awareness and Education unit. Members of the team are committed to providing useful and educational information about the services available though 911. We would be happy to send a representative to your community gathering or school classroom. To schedule a team member for your organization or school contact the 911 Center at 234-9571 during business hours for referral to the team's organizer.
Employee Recognition Committee
The ERC is a team of individuals who strive to provide recognition and appreciation to those employees who meet and or exceed high levels of service as determined by qualitative standards established by the committee.
The ERC was responsible for the implementation of Value Grams and our Award button. A Value Gram is filled out by employees to recognize a co-worker for a job well done. Each month the recipients of Value Grams are posted on a bulletin board and from those one is selected to receive a gift certificate for their job well done. The award button is a way for management to recognize an employee for perfect attendance in three month increments.. With your button you are allowed to dress down instead of wearing a uniform for a day.
ECD/Rochester Police Department
This team coordinates with RPD to discuss any problems that may be occurring from RPD and from the ECD. New policies and procedures are discussed to see how they will affect each department.
ECD/Rochester Fire Department
This team coordinates with RFD the same way as the ECD/RPD team does.
ECD/Monroe County Sheriff's Office
This team coordinates with MCSO the same way as the ECD/RPD team does.
Quality Council
The Quality Council oversees the operations of all committees and also supplies Total Quality Management (TQM) personnel to any committee that would like assistance with running a meeting. They also supply the public, our user agencies and our employees with surveys to see how were doing and what we can do better.
Emergency Medical Dispatch/Medical Dispatch Review Committee
The EMD/MDRC handles all request for change regarding the ECD's use of EMD. The committee meets with ECD and EMS personnel to discuses how the system is working and how it can be improved.
Computer Aided Dispatch
This committee reviews requests for changes to the Computer Aided Dispatch system. As employees go along and think of ways to improve the computer system we submit them to the CAD committee where they evaluate there usefulness and the cost to approve or disapprove the request.
In-Service Training Team
The purpose of the In-Service Training Team is to assist in keeping our skills current and to brush up on topics that we may not experience on a regular basis. This team creates quizzes and other training tools for employees to apply or review skills necessary to maintain a smooth operation at the 911 Center. The tests are designed to offer questions applicable for the TCC, PSD I and PSD II in their respective titles.