Eight employees of the Hamilton County 911 Emergency District exceeded a 20-hour overtime cap in a one-month period, and at least one employee logged 180 hours of work time over a two-week period, city records show.

"If it becomes an unsafe situation, we have to worry," said Councilwoman Deborah Scott, who spotted the overtime amounts worked by 911 dispatchers when she reviewed monthly reports given to the council.

The overtime now has other council members questioning whether public safety is being compromised.

Council Chairman Jack Benson said he especially wants to know about one employee who worked 100 hours overtime one week and 64 the next.

"I don't know how he was able to function," Mr. Benson said.

City records show that during the July 10-16 pay period, 26 employees logged 496 hours of overtime, an average of about 19 hours per person. During that same time, some employees racked up 100, 40, 44, 28, 51 and 32 hours of overtime individually. Seven of the same employees worked large amounts of overtime the very next pay period.

John Stuerner, executive director of the center, said there has been a 20-hour cap on overtime. The individuals who went over that cap violated policy, he said.

"That is out of the policy, and that slipped through," he said. "That's very out of the norm."

He attributed the overtime to issues resulting from the unification of the county and city 911 services in January. Several employees are going through an 11-month training program. While they are away for training, other dispatchers must work overtime to fill shifts.

The center currently is understaffed by about 13 dispatchers, Mr. Steurmer said. About 125 dispatchers work at the center off Amnicola Highway.

Another problem is that those in the dispatch center listed as city employees can get overtime after working eight hours during the day instead of getting overtime after a 40-hour work week.

"They're taking advantage of that," he said.

Once the dispatch trainees start work, many of the problems "will go away," he said.

Mr. Benson said Mr. Stuerner is supposed to come to the City Council next week and explain in more detail on why the overtime was so high.

"It doesn't sound logical or practical," he said.

Councilman Russell Gilbert said he does not want someone taking calls who is unable to function at the highest level. Emergency services are critical, he said.

"I hope whoever is in charge will make sure it doesn't happen again," he said.