FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPCD Board of Commissioners
Authorize the Consolidation of 3-1-1 Services
NEW ORLEANS (November 14, 2018) – The OPCD Board of Commissioners passed a resolution today at their regularly scheduled meeting which authorized the consolidation of 3-1-1 service into the existing 9-1-1 services it provides to the City of New Orleans.
The matter will now go before the New Orleans City Council who must pass an ordinance to authorize the execution of a cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA). Currently there are 12 full-time agents that operate 3-1-1 and are employed by the City of New Orleans. All will be offered employment at OPCD as a Telecommunicator and will have the opportunity to train up to also take 9-1-1 calls.
“This is an exciting opportunity for OPCD to provide another exceptional service to New Orleanians. 3-1-1 service will now be available 24 hours a day and remain available at times city hall may be closed. I applaud Mayor Cantrell’s bold move to build efficiency in our government”, says OPCD Executive Director Tyrell Morris.
The OPCD leadership team and the current 3-1-1 staff are working to ensure the transition is seamless and have no negative impact to the public.
About the Orleans Parish Communication District
Formed in 1982, the Orleans Parish Communication District is the PSAP for all emergency communications via 9-1-1 within Orleans Parish. The agency employs over 150 individuals and provides emergency medical dispatch, emergency fire dispatch, and emergency police dispatch for the millions of annual visitors and residents of the City of New Orleans. OPCD is a member of the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
###