State Sen. Jesse Arreguín, D-Oakland, has secured $1 million in state funding to modernize Berkeley’s emergency communications center, which handles about 180,000 calls annually, his office announced.
The funding will expand the center, upgrade software and technology to improve response times, and create a wellness space for dispatchers who handle high-stress 911 calls, a press release noted.
The investment builds on Measure FF, a parcel tax approved by Berkeley voters in 2020 to support firefighting, emergency response, and 911 system upgrades.
The funding comes as the city continues to address staffing shortages and improve dispatch operations.
A 2019 city auditor’s report found that call takers were taking longer to answer 911 calls and warned that population growth could increase demand for emergency services.
In June 2026, the City Council approved a $1.7 million contract with Priority Dispatch for training, quality assurance tools, and ongoing software maintenance, according to the state senator’s office.