ST. LOUIS – For the first time ever, the City of St. Louis will have a 911 dispatch center for police, fire, and EMS departments all in one building. The overall goal is to cross-train dispatchers and save more lives.
The city will offer dispatchers a $10,000 incentive package, allowing St. Louis to bring in more and cross train better.
Mayor Tishaura Jones and other public officials rolled up their sleeves and broke ground for the new center Thursday afternoon. This $45 million center is one of the largest public safety developments in the city.
Leaders say the center is in line with the best practices nationally and will serve as an important part in how they continue to bring down 911 response times.
“This is a significant milestone in the City of St. Louis. This ground-breaking is not just a start of construction—it’s a commitment to public safety and a promise to our residents that your safety is our top priority,” Police Chief Robert Tracy said.
The city has already started integration of its dispatch services, with EMS and police dispatchers sharing a location since 2023.
In addition to the improvements, the city is also investing in its people. Dispatchers saw significant pay increases in 2023:
EMS: $32,240 to $47,008
Police and Public Safety Dispatcher II: $41,548 to $47,008
Public Safety Dispatcher I: $39,910 to $43,914
Funding for the center comes from the State of Missouri along with the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Rescue Plan Act.