Establish PSAP Emergency Shut Down Procedures

The community that you serve depends upon your operation to be able to provide communications with various other emergency agencies in time of need.  If an emergency event is wide spread, such as a weather related emergency, your equipment and operation could be directly affected. 

During the survey it was determined your does not have any written PSAP emergency shut-down procedures. We believe good prior planning for emergencies and detailed operational written procedures/guidelines for your employees to follow in the event that the unexpected occurs, will assist you in better serving your community.  These written procedures should include a full emergency shut down for your facility.  This contingency plan should be developed to include but not be limited to:

• Having emergency 911 calls re-routed and received at another PSAP location
• Notifying other PSAPs of the transfer of dispatch responsibilities
• The orderly shutdown and/or protection of sensitive equipment
• Public notification (TV & radio stations)
• Shut down notification or forwarding of monitored alarm locations (businesses or institutions who pay for alarm monitoring services)
• The protection of your employees. 

Once developed and approved, training should be provided to all dispatch employees and copies should be provided to all dispatch positions as well as, distributed to other participating agencies.