Managing Dispatch Sources

The Dispatch Sources feature allows administrators to define and categorize the origins of dispatch calls or events, such as a phone call, email, or an officer-initiated alert. Its primary purpose is to enable better tracking of incident intake, facilitate efficient routing to relevant categories, and enhance reporting on the origins of dispatch activities. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators responsible for configuring dispatch workflows and incident tracking.

Setup and Configuration

This feature is a core administrative tool used to establish the intake tracking metrics for dispatch operations.

Admin Side: Administrators must have the appropriate system role permissions enabled to access the dispatch administration menus and manage dispatch sources.

Using this Feature

The Dispatch Category Link Administration page allows you to define where your dispatch calls originate from and seamlessly link them to relevant dispatch categories.

Accessing the Management Interface

1. Hover over System Administration, click Dispatch, then click Manage Dispatch Sources.

Adding a Dispatch Source

1. Click the Add Dispatch Source button.

2. Enter the origin name (e.g., Walk-In, Radio, or Internal Alert) into the Name field.

3. Select the categories that should be linked to this source from the connected drop-down menu.

4. Click the Save Changes button.

If you want to link the source to all available categories, you can left-click on the first category and hold the CTRL key while clicking to select them all simultaneously.

Editing a Dispatch Source

1. Click the Edit button next to the specific source you wish to modify.

2. Make the necessary changes to the source name or category links.

3. Click the Save Changes button to apply your updates.

Best Practices and Considerations

• Establish comprehensive definitions: Define all common methods by which dispatch calls or alerts are received in your organization. Accurately capturing options like Emergency Line, Non-Emergency Phone, Email, or Mobile App Submission provides a clearer picture of your incident intake.

• Implement logical category linking: Link each source to all relevant dispatch categories it might generate. For example, a standard Phone Call source might reasonably link to Parking Incident, Security Alert, and Maintenance Request categories to streamline dispatcher workflows.

• Maintain data consistency: Ensure consistent use of defined dispatch sources by all personnel involved in dispatch activities. Uniform data entry is vital to maintain accurate reporting and prevent administrative confusion.

• Leverage reporting value: Properly categorized dispatch sources are invaluable for generating reports on call volume and types of incidents by source. This data allows management to identify long-term trends in how incidents are reported across the property.

• Conduct regular reviews: Periodically review your list of dispatch sources to ensure they remain current. Regular audits guarantee the options available to dispatchers remain highly relevant to your evolving operational needs.