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DFCC 2020

 The Downey Fire Communications Center (DFCC) handles incoming 9-1-1, fire and emergency medical calls as well as other non-emergency requests for the cities of Downey, Compton and Santa Fe Springs Fire Departments.  The Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and provides the public with prompt dispatching services by identifying each caller’s individual needs. The range of services offered by the Center span from providing first aid over the phone to coordinating units and personnel for large emergency incidents throughout the State of California and beyond. The Communication Center’s duty is to match the public’s request for service with the Fire Department’s resources assuring a prompt and adequate response to fire and medical emergencies.

Critical Information When Calling 911

    • Know where you are when you callDFCC 2020-Pat
      • If you do not know the exact address try to know some area landmarks, main cross streets or business names that can help us find you.  Giving us your apartment number or exact floor within the business is helpful.
    • Stay calm!
      • No one can predict when an emergency might occur, but if it does, try to stay calm so you can better help us and those around you who may need your help.
      • Translators are available to assist you with your 911 call if needed.
    • Don’t argue with the dispatchers 
      • You may speak to multiple dispatchers and be asked to repeat information.  Please be patient while the Dispatcher directs you to the appropriate help.
      • Dispatch personnel are trained to recognize your emergency and will only ask key questions to properly provide aid. Even if you do not think their questions are important, answer them as best as you can.
      • Answering our questions does not delay the response of units and you my just save someone’s life!

Call Volumes

  • Total calls (inbound/outbound):   77,097
  • 911 Emergency calls:    20,265
  • Wireless (Cellphone calls):   15,195 (75% of all 911 calls)
  • Average time on 911 call:   83.8 seconds 

Dispatcher Duties

  • Receives and responds to requests for emergency services from the public via 911, other public safety agencies, and standard telephone systems.
  • Operates and monitors multiple radio frequencies and determines the appropriate personnel, apparatus and equipment to be dispatched using complex radio and computerized systems.
  • On a daily basis, works closely with local police and other fire agencies in the sharing of resources and information regarding multi-agency incidents.
  • Provides pre-arrival emergency medical instructions in accordance with the Department's Emergency Medical Dispatch program.

Staffing

The DFCC employs a total of 11 dispatchers; 8 full-time, 2 part-time and 1 Supervisor who also assists in the center as needed. The dispatchers work 12 hour shifts with the minimum staffing for each shift being 2 dispatchers. Part time employees work a minimum amount of hours per month to both assist with staffing levels and maintain their skills.

Communications History

Dispatcher (black & white photo)

The Downey Fire Communication Center (DFCC) was established on July 1, 1975 as a regional communications center for Area E Fire Departments (Area E was originally the Civil Defense area of Southeast Los Angeles County). The idea of a regional fire communications center was to effectively share and manage fire and medical resources, thus being able to deliver rapid responses to an emergency incident. The DFCC was initially comprised of the cities of Downey and Santa Fe Springs, with the cities of Montebello and Lynwood joining in 1976 and Compton following in 1982.  Today, the DFCC provides fire communications and dispatch services to the cities of Compton, Downey, and Santa Fe Springs serving a combined population of 300,000 people that covers an area of 40 square miles.