Senator Arreguín Delivers $1 Million for Faster, More Effective 911 Response in Berkeley

Berkeley, CA – Today, State Senator Jesse Arreguín (D-Oakland) announced that he has secured $1 million in funding to modernize the City of Berkeley’s emergency communications center, so fire, police, and emergency medical services (EMS) can respond more effectively to emergencies and the 180,000 calls the dispatch center handles each year.  

“As the former Mayor of Berkeley, I know how critical a modern, reliable dispatch center is to keeping our communities safe and ensuring first responders can act quickly when people need help,” said State Senator Jesse Arreguín, Chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee. “I am proud to have delivered on providing $1 million in state funds as part of my broader commitment to strengthening public safety and meeting the  vital needs of communities across the East Bay.”  

Specifically, the funding will expand the Communications Center, upgrade software and technology to improve response times, and add a wellness space to support the well-being of dispatchers who frequently navigate high-impact 911 calls. The state investment builds on Measure FF, a parcel tax Berkeley voters approved in 2020 to fund firefighting, emergency response and 911 upgrades. 

“When someone in Berkeley dials 911, the person who answers is their lifeline,” said Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii. “I am thankful to Senator Arreguín for investing in those dispatchers and the tools they rely on, building on what Berkeley voters committed to through Measure FF.” 

A 2019 report by the Berkeley City Auditor found that “it is taking longer than previous years for call takers to answer 911 calls and...with predicted population growth, the Communications Center would likely need additional resources in the future to maintain its emergency response services.” Over the next four years, the City worked on implementing 13 recommendations from the report, including increasing staffing and recruitment. However, in the 2025 Berkeley Police Department Annual Report presented earlier this year, officials noted that staffing shortages at the Communications Center remained and that several initiatives are underway to increase staffing and improve overall efficiency. This includes a $1.7 million contract the City Council adopted in June 2026 with Priority Dispatch for training, quality assurance tools, and ongoing software maintenance. 

“When responding to emergencies, every second counts. The upgrades that will happen thanks to this funding will optimize fire and EMS responses, ensuring that we respond to calls quickly and effectively,” said Berkeley Fire Chief Dave Sprague. 

“Our first responders rely on quick and accurate communications from dispatchers when responding to emergencies,” said Deputy Police Chief Jen Tate. With these improvements, residents can take comfort knowing that when you call 911, our team will be better prepared.”  

“As a former dispatcher, I know that addressing morale in a high-stress environment is important in retaining qualified dispatchers, said Erin Netz, Director of the Berkeley Emergency Communications Center. “This funding will help us achieve our goal of improving the wellness of our dispatchers, creating better outcomes for all.”  

###