Fire Dispatch Moves to Alameda County Regional Emergency Communication Center

Move will allow more efficient responses with other fire departments

August 1, 2012

On July 31st, the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department began its new contract for dispatching services with the Alameda County Regional Emergency Communications Center (ACRECC). For the past 16 years, this service has been provided by the Livermore Police Department.

Both the fire department and the police department recognized that this move will help streamline fire and emergency medical responses in the Tri-Valley area. Increasingly, the fire department has been developing protocols that emphasize cooperation between city and county fire agencies. Jurisdictional lines are de-emphasized in favor of faster responses when there is a fire engine from either agency in a better position to handle a call quickly. ACRECC already provides dispatching services for a number of other municipal fire departments in the county, in addition to the Alameda County Fire Department. Having ACRECC dispatch multiple fire departments allows dispatchers to immediately select and coordinate responses out of one center, instead of transfering calls between different dispatch centers. ACRECC's sole responsibility for FIRE/EMS also allows the center to concentrate on best practices within the fire industry, which includes a focused series of questions that callers are asked in order to provide a more customized response. Livermore Police Department had dual responsibility for both police and fire dispatching before the move. 

Callers will not need to do anything different to access fire/EMS services through 911. LPD dispatchers will still answer all 911 landline phone calls within the city limits, determine the need for emergency services, and transfer fire and medical calls to ACRECC. The seven digit phone numbers have changed, however. The emergency number for ACRECC is 925-447-6880. The number to call the LPFD business office (inspections and information) is 925-447-4257. The old numbers will be forwarded for a limited time until published directory information is updated.

In the absence of fire dispatching responsibilites, The Livermore Police Department will now work toward taking calls 911 directly from wireless callers in the city. This service is currently provided by the California Highway Patrol. LPD hopes to reduce wait times and transfers for callers on wireless phones, but this will result in a significantly higher volume of calls that have to be screened by LPD dispatchers.