The City of Kansas City is taking steps to address concerns over long 911 wait times. With an average wait time of 51 seconds in August, Mayor and Board of Police Commissioner Quinton Lucas proposed a resolution to create a unified 911 system between the city’s fire department and police. The resolution advanced out of the Finance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee, with an amendment added to establish the system within 45 days.
Councilman Darrell Curls emphasized the importance of addressing the issue promptly during the committee meeting. KCPD Captain Jake Becchina cited staffing as the biggest challenge in combating long wait times, stating that the department is making progress in filling vacancies.
The mayor’s plan also includes coordination with the Kansas City Fire Department, as 911 calls currently first go to KCPD. KCFD Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins highlighted the need for a streamlined system to prevent delays in emergency response.
Both KCFD Chief Ross Grundyson and Chief Grundyson expressed support for the resolution. The unified 911 system is set to be discussed at the next BOPC meeting on October 29. Mayor Lucas emphasized the importance of public safety and ensuring that 911 services work effectively for the community.
Overall, the City of Kansas City is working towards improving its emergency response system to reduce wait times and provide better service to its residents.
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Photo credit fox4kc.com
