TWO ALTERNATIVES WERE CONSIDERED FOR THE PLACEMENT OF THE 911 EQUIPMENT AND OPERATIONS: (1) MAINTAINING THE SYSTEM IN ITS PRESENT LOCATION; AND (2) TRANSFERRING JURISDICTION TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, PLACING THE EQUIPMENT IN THE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER WHICH PRESENTLY HOUSES THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM, AND REPLACING THE PRESENT 911 FEMALE OPERATORS BY FIREMEN. THREE VARIABLES WERE CONSIDERED: THE PERSONNEL OPERATING 911, THE OPERATIONAL SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES, AND THE PHYSICAL EQUIPMENT. HOWEVER, NO EVIDENCE EXISTS THAT THE FIRE ALARM OPERATORS CAN TRANSFER INCOMING 911 CALLS MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN THE PRESENT OPERATORS. REPLACEMENT, THEREFORE, CANNOT BY JUSTIFIED USING THE CRITERIA OF WORK LEVEL PERFORMANCE. IN ADDITION, MONITORING DIFFICULTIES CAN BE CORRECTED THROUGH ANNUAL REFRESHER COURSES ON THE 911 SYSTEM. FURTHER, THE SAVINGS IN SALARIES BY MAINTAINING THE PRESENT STAFF OF 911 OPERATORS RANGES FROM $10,566 TO $21,937. FINALLY, A CURRENT SURVEY OF 4-MONTHS ACTIVITY SHOWED THAT OPERATORS PROCESS AN AVERAGE OF 3.8 CALLS PER HOUR WITH NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE OVER THE YEAR BEFORE. BECAUSE MINOR VOLUME CHANGE IS PROJECTED FOR THE NEXT 2 OR 3 YEARS, THE PRESENT STAFF AND LOCATION CAN MEET OPERATIONAL NEEDS. HOWEVER, THE 911 SYSTEM SHOULD BE REVIEWED PERIODICALLY TO ASSURE ITS BEST POSSIBLE OPERATION. (AOP)