> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Bring dispatch back
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/bring-dispatch-back-editor/
- Published: 2008-06-11T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T19:53:17.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Richard Chace*

Regarding the recently published letter relating to the dispatch arrangement the Santa Monica Fire Department has with the Los Angeles regional dispatch center, I don’t think the average citizen realizes that this agreement exists.

I believe this is a bad deal in every way. I have asked several firefighters their opinion and not one of them liked the system.

My question is, after millions of dollars was spent for a state of the art public safety facility that houses both the police and fire department why farm out the fire dispatch to another agency that is probably overworked and understaffed, furthermore has little to no knowledge of our city?

It appears this arrangement is very costly and is providing the residents and visitors a slower response time which could result in the loss of life. In conclusion I say bring the fire dispatch back to our city as soon as possible.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 11, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/061108.pdf?ref=smdp.com)