Emergency Communications Center

Organizational Structure

Pursuant to Cincinnati Administrative Code, Article II, Section 23, there is established within the Office of the City Manager an Emergency Communications Center to be administered by a director who shall direct, control, and supervise all officers and employees within the Emergency Communications Center.

The ECC Director reports to the City Manager. The Director oversees all operations of the center, implementation of procedures in support of established policies, short- and long-term planning, and budget development. The Deputy Director oversees operational functions within the ECC, including teletype, call-taking and police dispatching. The Deputy Director assumes responsibility for the center in the absence of the Director. The overall staff of the ECC are divided into four functional sections:

• Operations: This section performs the teletype, call-taking and police dispatching functions.
• Training: The Training Section is responsible for all new-hire and promotional training.
• Quality: The Quality Section is responsible for quality assurance, quality improvement activities, and the pursuit of accreditation.
• Technology: The Technology Section is responsible for the support and maintenance of all ECC technology and systems, including the radio system, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, and the 9-1-1 telephone system. The Manager and staff of the Technology Section are employees of the centralized Department of Enterprise Technology Solutions but are embedded in and function as a part of the staff of the ECC.
• Alternative Response: This section is responsible for the Alternative Response Program.
• Administration: This section is responsible for administrative functions that support the ECC, including compliance, policy management, budgeting, purchasing, payroll, personnel management and record keeping.

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Department Leadership

Bill Vedra III
ECC Director

Bill Vedra III has served as the Emergency Communications Center Director for the City of Cincinnati since 2020, having previously worked as the center’s technology manager and deputy director. As ECC Director, Bill has championed alternative response and criminal justice diversion initiatives, including a cutting-edge partnership between 911 and 988, and the establishment of the city’s Alternative Response to Crisis (ARC) program. He also spearheaded the creation of the 311Cincy program, integrating 311 services with the 911 center to streamline city operations and improve processes.

With over two decades of experience in government and public safety, Bill has a robust background in public safety and operational management. His career began as an Emergency Dispatcher, and he also served as a Volunteer Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, and Deputy Sheriff. Prior to joining the City of Cincinnati, Bill managed a county-wide public safety radio system and played a key role in deploying a Next Generation 9-1-1 system across multiple emergency dispatch centers.

Bill’s leadership is marked by a commitment to continuous improvement. He established the center’s first full-time quality assurance team and adopted the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch protocols across all 911 call-taking. His efforts have significantly enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency services in Cincinnati, ensuring a high standard of care and responsiveness for the community.

 

Karli Piper
ECC Deputy Director

Deputy Director Piper joined the ECC Leadership Team in November of 2018. She has over 13 years of experience working in emergency communications in multiple roles, with a strong concentration in new hire training, quality assurance, and public education. She was previously a WI Technical College Board Certified Adjunct Instructor and instructed college level public safety courses related to emergency communications. Additionally, she holds professional certifications as a Communications Training Officer, Emergency Medical Dispatch Quality Assurance Evaluator, and Communications Center Manager. 

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Governance and Agency Liaisons

The ECC is not only a service provider to the public, but also to the city's first responders. The City Manager has established an Emergency Communications Center Governance Committee to ensure that the ECC’s service delivery meets the needs of the public and the Police and Fire departments. Through monthly meetings, executive officers of the ECC, Police, and Fire discuss and resolve issues of mutual concern. The committee includes the following:

• City Manager's Office
• Chief Technology Officer
• Chief Performance Officer
• ECC Director
• Fire Chief
• Police Chief

The Cincinnati Police Department has designated a Police Captain as the ECC’s Police Liaison. The Deputy Director works regularly with the Police Liaison to resolve routine operational issues between the two departments, and to ensure policies and procedures are in alignment. One or more Police Sergeants report to the Captain and are assigned to provide day-to-day operational police guidance at the ECC.