CAD assists dispatchers when sending crews to an incident, helps in monitoring activities at a particular event, and keeps a record of all incidents and any radio traffic directed to Station 4. All calls about an incident, whether from the public or an ODOT crew, are entered into the CAD as a way of tracking the event. Information is entered by crew number, is time stamped, and becomes part of a large database. Besides the CAD dispatchers monitor two phones and a base radio for each region. They have reference material on chain up laws and information on transporting mobile homes.
Flip charts are available with area maps and telephone numbers for all maintenance crews.
Using a special software program dispatchers can put messages on portable and permanent variable message signs as well as activate mobile home signs. ODOT dispatchers can also monitor information sent by Oregon State Police dispatchers. There are very specific guidelines as to what events our crews respond to. Work being done by Station 4 Dispatchers is paying off as TripCheck and the 1-800 number are becoming popular resources for information. And the numbers back it up.