On August 5, 2002, the City of Columbia opened its doors to the first 3-1-1 Call Center in the state. The 3-1-1 Call Center handles non-emergency request for information and City service from city departments. The Call Center is designed to address the citizen’s quality of life concerns and providing our citizens with easier access to its government. Request for service are handled by trained call-takers who ask specific questions to determine needed service, the request is then routed automatically to the appropriate department or division responsible for handling the request(s). For more information call 803-545-3750.
Benefits:
• A “One Stop Shop for city services.”
• Easy to dial and remember non-emergency call center
• Respond to citizens non-emergency concerns
• Serve to support and enhance services for all city departments
• Reduces the number of non-emergency calls going into the 9-1-1 center
• Making City government and it’s staff more accountable to its citizens
• Helping to reduce the stigmatism of an unfriendly government
• A quick source of information for visitors and those outside of the City
• Eliminate the multiple call transfers and accidental disconnects
• Serve as a “gateway” of information for City government.
Columbia’s 3-1-1 Center, one of the leaders in the nation in helping other cities implement this program, has hosted on-site visits and telephone conference calls to cities such as:
Charlotte NC, Mesa and Scottsdale, Arizona, Henderson Nevada, Rockford Illinois, Virginia Beach Va., Charleston, S.C. and Iowa to name a few.
