Post by lisas84 on May 12, 2010 18:10:04 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-05-12/Editorials/Mayor_explains_reasons_for_dispatching_switch.html
Mayor explains reasons for dispatching switch
GUEST COLUMN MAYOR MICHAEL WILSON
There has been much discussion in many forums regarding Freehold Borough’s decision to transfer its dispatching operations to the Monmouth County system. Emotions have understandably run high on all sides of the issue. The decision did not come easily, and came only after extensive investigation into all aspects of the situation – the economic, public safety and human viewpoints. This column will attempt to answer some of the questions floating out there.
Freehold Borough is in the process of transitioning its communications operation to Monmouth County, a costeffective move that 10 other jurisdictions have already successfully undertaken. Feedback was received from other jurisdictions that use the county system for its dispatching needs.
The Tinton Falls chief has been very satisfied with the county operations. Most recently, our much larger neighbor, Freehold Township, transferred its operations to the county 911 system. As with any transition, there were some initial rough spots; however, they have for the most part been ironed out and the township officials report that they are pleased with the service provided by the county.
We are confident, based on our research, that response time will not suffer and the safety of the police officers and fire personnel will not be compromised. The sophistication of today’s equipment, some of which will have to be purchased by the borough, will actually provide a more thorough and effective means of communication.
For instance, the county’s system will be able to provide information to a fire chief via a BlackBerry device, or even a computer aided report containing all vital information just prior to responding to a call. What is truly fortunate for the borough is that the county’s reporting system is very similar to the reporting system used by the borough, which should help shorten the learning process.
Although the physical location of the dispatcher will no longer be in Freehold Borough, the process is not very different. Currently, many calls come through the 911 operator. The 911 operator takes down the information and then transfers that information to the Freehold Borough dispatcher who dispatches to the police or fire personnel.
Under the new system, the 911 operator will do the same and, instead of giving the information to a dispatcher in the borough headquarters or firehouse, will do so to the dispatcher in their same facility. Dispatchers are still fully trained and will be familiar with the towns for which they are dispatching (county dispatchers will dispatch to certain towns).
When the move to the county for police dispatch operation takes place, it is hoped that they would consider the employment of Freehold Borough’s dispatchers.
It is unfortunate that the county cannot retain all of the borough dispatchers and the borough recognizes the hardship this puts on some individuals and their families.
However, the purpose of maximizing cost-effectiveness is to take advantage of a joint, regionalized approach with state-of-the-art technology, which reduces the need for additional personnel.
To place this matter into perspective, Freehold Borough’s financial aid dropped $531,000 over the last three years. This represents approximately 35 percent. In 2010 alone, the aid was reduced by $321,000.
Needless to say, these drastic cuts have made all New Jersey towns take a closer look at all of their operations.
The annual dispatch operation cost for Freehold Borough is $586,000. By joining the county’s regional operation, the borough taxpayers will yield an approximate annual savings of $343,000.
The transition will necessitate some one-time start-up costs such as a fuel/fleet management system, building security improvements, and radio communications equipment.
These one-time costs, paid over time, are still less than the estimated savings for the first few years of operation with the county. The net savings for the fire and police transition will have a direct and immediate effect of about 3.5 cents on the tax rate.
Moreover, it is believed that these improvements will actually provide an additional level of building security and accountability.
The holding cells in the police station, currently monitored by borough dispatchers by way of a video feed, will be monitored by the county personnel in the same fashion.
In the event of any emergency, the county personnel will contact borough police officers in the same way that the borough dispatchers currently operate.
The safety of our much appreciated volunteer firefighters and our police officers is not and will never be compromised for the sake of saving a few dollars.
The change would never be contemplated if the borough was not fully confident that the move was safe and beneficial to our community.
Ten other jurisdictions currently are effectively serviced through the county system. With the advancement of technology and the continued budgetary constraints, it is likely that many more will follow suit.
Michael Wilson is the mayor of Freehold Borough. He submitted this guest column on behalf of himself and the Borough Council.
Mayor explains reasons for dispatching switch
GUEST COLUMN MAYOR MICHAEL WILSON
There has been much discussion in many forums regarding Freehold Borough’s decision to transfer its dispatching operations to the Monmouth County system. Emotions have understandably run high on all sides of the issue. The decision did not come easily, and came only after extensive investigation into all aspects of the situation – the economic, public safety and human viewpoints. This column will attempt to answer some of the questions floating out there.
Freehold Borough is in the process of transitioning its communications operation to Monmouth County, a costeffective move that 10 other jurisdictions have already successfully undertaken. Feedback was received from other jurisdictions that use the county system for its dispatching needs.
The Tinton Falls chief has been very satisfied with the county operations. Most recently, our much larger neighbor, Freehold Township, transferred its operations to the county 911 system. As with any transition, there were some initial rough spots; however, they have for the most part been ironed out and the township officials report that they are pleased with the service provided by the county.
We are confident, based on our research, that response time will not suffer and the safety of the police officers and fire personnel will not be compromised. The sophistication of today’s equipment, some of which will have to be purchased by the borough, will actually provide a more thorough and effective means of communication.
For instance, the county’s system will be able to provide information to a fire chief via a BlackBerry device, or even a computer aided report containing all vital information just prior to responding to a call. What is truly fortunate for the borough is that the county’s reporting system is very similar to the reporting system used by the borough, which should help shorten the learning process.
Although the physical location of the dispatcher will no longer be in Freehold Borough, the process is not very different. Currently, many calls come through the 911 operator. The 911 operator takes down the information and then transfers that information to the Freehold Borough dispatcher who dispatches to the police or fire personnel.
Under the new system, the 911 operator will do the same and, instead of giving the information to a dispatcher in the borough headquarters or firehouse, will do so to the dispatcher in their same facility. Dispatchers are still fully trained and will be familiar with the towns for which they are dispatching (county dispatchers will dispatch to certain towns).
When the move to the county for police dispatch operation takes place, it is hoped that they would consider the employment of Freehold Borough’s dispatchers.
It is unfortunate that the county cannot retain all of the borough dispatchers and the borough recognizes the hardship this puts on some individuals and their families.
However, the purpose of maximizing cost-effectiveness is to take advantage of a joint, regionalized approach with state-of-the-art technology, which reduces the need for additional personnel.
To place this matter into perspective, Freehold Borough’s financial aid dropped $531,000 over the last three years. This represents approximately 35 percent. In 2010 alone, the aid was reduced by $321,000.
Needless to say, these drastic cuts have made all New Jersey towns take a closer look at all of their operations.
The annual dispatch operation cost for Freehold Borough is $586,000. By joining the county’s regional operation, the borough taxpayers will yield an approximate annual savings of $343,000.
The transition will necessitate some one-time start-up costs such as a fuel/fleet management system, building security improvements, and radio communications equipment.
These one-time costs, paid over time, are still less than the estimated savings for the first few years of operation with the county. The net savings for the fire and police transition will have a direct and immediate effect of about 3.5 cents on the tax rate.
Moreover, it is believed that these improvements will actually provide an additional level of building security and accountability.
The holding cells in the police station, currently monitored by borough dispatchers by way of a video feed, will be monitored by the county personnel in the same fashion.
In the event of any emergency, the county personnel will contact borough police officers in the same way that the borough dispatchers currently operate.
The safety of our much appreciated volunteer firefighters and our police officers is not and will never be compromised for the sake of saving a few dollars.
The change would never be contemplated if the borough was not fully confident that the move was safe and beneficial to our community.
Ten other jurisdictions currently are effectively serviced through the county system. With the advancement of technology and the continued budgetary constraints, it is likely that many more will follow suit.
Michael Wilson is the mayor of Freehold Borough. He submitted this guest column on behalf of himself and the Borough Council.
