The Radio Operations section provides emergency call-taking and dispatching services for the City of Tucson. This includes answering 9-1-1 calls and transferring them to the appropriate jurisdiction. The Operations section provides dispatching services for the Tucson Fire Department and, on a contractual basis, dispatching services for five county fire districts; the Northwest Fire District, Golder Ranch Fire District, Avra Valley Fire District, Three Points Fire District and Picture Rocks Fire District.
The Section also operates Tucson MEDS Control, a centralized medical dispatching service for much of Pima County outside of the city limits. In addition, the section also serves as the control point for non-emergency radio activity of other city divisions and departments. This function includes being an after-hour, weekend, and holiday contact point for citizens requesting city services.
911 and Public Safety Dispatchers answer emergency calls from the public and dispatch the appropriate level of care, often providing pre-arrival instructions in medical emergency situations.