Severe Weather Dispatch: Difference between revisions
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When severe weather hits Portland, specially trained NETs on our Dispatch team may be deployed to 211info. These NETs assist by coordinating transportation for community members to get them to designated warming or cooling locations within Multnomah County. | When severe weather hits Portland, specially trained NETs on our Dispatch team may be deployed to 211info. These NETs assist by coordinating transportation for community members to get them to designated warming or cooling locations within Multnomah County. | ||
If you are interested in becoming a NET Dispatcher | If you are interested in becoming a NET Dispatcher, please contact us at net@portlandoregon.gov. This deployment requires training, which is provided in two parts: online (see below), and during your first shift. This deployment is virtual, meaning you can deploy from anywhere and don't need your typical NET gear. NET Dispatchers do need to have a computer, reliable internet service, and a phone. We use Slack exclusively as a virtual conference room to communicate with our 211info and Ground Support team members, web browser based SmartSheet spreadsheets and dashboards, mapping websites, and ride share dispatch websites. This deployment includes periods of intense demand as well as periods of just waiting for ride requests and being there in case someone needs us. Useful skills for this work include computer savvy, ability to multitask across multiple computer windows, and the ability to stay cool and friendly under stress. | ||
The process begins when a community member calls 211info to request a ride to a warming or cooling locations. These locations are chosen by the City of Portland and Multnomah County and may include overnight severe weather shelters, day-only severe weather shelters, libraries, community centers, splash pads, pools, etc. When a 211info Operator answers the phone, they will make sure the person is in the geographic area served by this program, ask questions about their transportation needs, and if other transportation options are not available for the caller, they will fill out a transportation request form. Once the Operator submits the form, the Operator has done their part and will return to answering other calls. The form populates the SmartSheets Transportation Nexus, the main spreadsheet from which NET Dispatchers work. When the form is submitted, a new row appears at the top of the Nexus for that ride. NET Dispatchers review the request, select the closest appropriate warming/cooling location, and coordinate transportation by requesting cabs, Uber, or the | NET Dispatchers work in shifts of one to three depending on anticipated ride request volume, with a Dispatch Lead present or on call. Dispatchers collaborate closely with 211info and the Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) Ground Support Unit. The dispatch process begins when a community member calls 211info to request a ride to a warming or cooling locations. These locations are chosen by the City of Portland and Multnomah County and may include overnight severe weather shelters, day-only severe weather shelters, libraries, community centers, splash pads, pools, etc. When a 211info Operator answers the phone, they will make sure the person is in the geographic area served by this program, ask questions about their transportation needs, and if other transportation options are not available for the caller, they will fill out a transportation request form. Once the Operator submits the form, the Operator has done their part and will return to answering other calls. The form populates the SmartSheets Transportation Nexus, the main spreadsheet from which NET Dispatchers work. When the form is submitted, a new row appears at the top of the Nexus for that ride. NET Dispatchers review the request, select the closest appropriate warming/cooling location, and coordinate transportation by requesting cabs, Uber, or the ECC Ground Support vehicles. When transport is complete, the NET Dispatch marks it so in the Nexus, and notifies the 211info Liaison so that the Liaison can contact the community member and let them know what type of transport to expect and when. At this point the NET Dispatcher is typically done, and goes on to work the next ride request. | ||
Revision as of 16:05, 4 November 2022
When severe weather hits Portland, specially trained NETs on our Dispatch team may be deployed to 211info. These NETs assist by coordinating transportation for community members to get them to designated warming or cooling locations within Multnomah County.
If you are interested in becoming a NET Dispatcher, please contact us at net@portlandoregon.gov. This deployment requires training, which is provided in two parts: online (see below), and during your first shift. This deployment is virtual, meaning you can deploy from anywhere and don't need your typical NET gear. NET Dispatchers do need to have a computer, reliable internet service, and a phone. We use Slack exclusively as a virtual conference room to communicate with our 211info and Ground Support team members, web browser based SmartSheet spreadsheets and dashboards, mapping websites, and ride share dispatch websites. This deployment includes periods of intense demand as well as periods of just waiting for ride requests and being there in case someone needs us. Useful skills for this work include computer savvy, ability to multitask across multiple computer windows, and the ability to stay cool and friendly under stress.
NET Dispatchers work in shifts of one to three depending on anticipated ride request volume, with a Dispatch Lead present or on call. Dispatchers collaborate closely with 211info and the Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) Ground Support Unit. The dispatch process begins when a community member calls 211info to request a ride to a warming or cooling locations. These locations are chosen by the City of Portland and Multnomah County and may include overnight severe weather shelters, day-only severe weather shelters, libraries, community centers, splash pads, pools, etc. When a 211info Operator answers the phone, they will make sure the person is in the geographic area served by this program, ask questions about their transportation needs, and if other transportation options are not available for the caller, they will fill out a transportation request form. Once the Operator submits the form, the Operator has done their part and will return to answering other calls. The form populates the SmartSheets Transportation Nexus, the main spreadsheet from which NET Dispatchers work. When the form is submitted, a new row appears at the top of the Nexus for that ride. NET Dispatchers review the request, select the closest appropriate warming/cooling location, and coordinate transportation by requesting cabs, Uber, or the ECC Ground Support vehicles. When transport is complete, the NET Dispatch marks it so in the Nexus, and notifies the 211info Liaison so that the Liaison can contact the community member and let them know what type of transport to expect and when. At this point the NET Dispatcher is typically done, and goes on to work the next ride request.