Thermopolis, Wyoming, is confronting a staffing shortfall in its 911 dispatch center by routing all overnight emergency calls to the Park County Sheriff’s Department in Cody, nearly 90 miles away. The arrangement, which began this week, covers calls received between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. the following morning.
How the temporary solution works
Monty McClain, communications supervisor for the Park County Sheriff’s Department, explained that Cody dispatchers can answer Thermopolis calls, control the town’s radios remotely, and coordinate directly with first responders on the ground. “If you call 911 between the hours of 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., you’ll be talking to us here in Cody,” McClain said.
Thermopolis Police Chief Pat Cornwell emphasized that the town’s residents will not notice a reduction in service. “When someone calls 911, they need to know help is there,” he told the town council.
Why the shortage matters
Finding and retaining qualified dispatchers has become a nationwide challenge. A 2026 national survey of more than 1,500 dispatchers and 911 leaders found that nearly eight in ten centers are short‑staffed, and one in ten struggle to fill positions entirely. Burnout and mental‑health concerns topped the list of staffing challenges in the same study.
Billings Dispatch Supervisor Randi Sanderlin, who has 20 years of experience, described the pressures on dispatch staff: “It can be hard to get applicants in here. And there are times where it’s hard to retain people. The call load, the hours, the stress.” She noted that Billings’ own center was down nearly 15 employees out of the 35 needed for full staffing in 2022.
Thermopolis’ plan to rebuild
Thermopolis officials are developing a 30‑60‑90‑day plan aimed at recruiting and training new dispatch personnel. Until the town reaches a sustainable staffing level, the overnight routing to Cody will remain in place.
McClain reassured residents that the partnership with Cody will not compromise response times. “The people are not going to see a reduction in services,” he said.
Community impact
Local leaders stressed that the temporary measure preserves public safety while the town works to attract qualified candidates. The council’s discussion highlighted the importance of reliable emergency communications for families, seniors, and businesses throughout Thermopolis.
Residents are encouraged to continue using 911 as needed and to stay informed about any future updates to the town’s emergency‑services plan.
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
