Roswell officials are moving to address a critical shortage of 911 dispatchers at the Pecos Valley Regional Communications Center. The center, which coordinates police, fire and emergency medical services across Chaves County, currently has six open dispatcher positions.
Temporary contract proposed
The city council is reviewing a request to extend a six‑month contract with getRESQ911, a private staffing service that provides certified dispatchers on a temporary basis. The extension would cost more than $269,000 and would allow the center to maintain full coverage while the municipality continues its effort to recruit and train permanent employees.
Impact on emergency response
Dispatch Director Alison Herring explained that the shortage has forced existing staff to work overtime and cover additional shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays. “When people call 911, it’s because they’re having a bad day or something terrible is happening,” Herring said. “We need people who can handle that stress and understand the responsibility.”
In 2025 the center handled over 129,000 phone calls, more than 34,000 of which were emergency 911 calls. With upcoming events such as the Fourth of July celebrations, the UFO Festival and the upcoming air races, the need for fully staffed dispatch operations is especially urgent.
Temporary staff perform like regular employees
Since 2024 Roswell has used getRESQ911 to supplement its workforce. The service previously supplied five contract dispatchers; three remain on staff after the latest reduction. Herring noted that the temporary dispatchers are fully certified and work the same shifts as permanent staff, providing continuity for callers and first‑responders alike.
Next steps
The proposed contract will go through the city’s 30‑day sole‑source procurement process. If approved, the extension would take effect immediately and run through January. City officials said the temporary staffing solution is a stop‑gap measure while they continue to advertise, interview and train new permanent dispatchers.
“Our team is strong and looks out for each other,” Herring added, acknowledging the strain on current employees but expressing confidence that the additional contract support will alleviate the workload.
The city’s effort underscores the importance of reliable emergency communications for public safety and highlights the challenges many small municipalities face in recruiting qualified personnel for high‑stress, around‑the‑clock roles.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
