Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas is now offering a $5000 sign-on bonus and other incentives for 911 emergency operators. Amidst a 30% nationwide shortage of dispatchers, Kansas City is in dire need. Mayor Lucas believes low pay is to blame for the shortage of dispatchers, but he has promised to improve this. “I think it’s important that we look to the work of our emergency dispatchers to ensure that they’re also appreciated, both in pay, in support, in benefits,” stated Lucas.
