NEED YOUR INPUT - Upcoming mandated digital upgrades to the city’s 9-1-1 radio system in 2016, along with a continuing shortage of staffers in the city’s dispatch communications center, is causing the West Carrollton city council to consider its options for future police and fire dispatch service. During the council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 28, Police Chief Doug Woodard outlined the options. One option is to merge with the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center and the other is to fund the required upgrades (at a cost of $400,000-$500,000) and continue to operate a local dispatch center. Each option has its drawbacks, said Brad Townsend, city manager. “It’s not an easy decision by any means,” he said. Woodard said the police department has also discussed merging its center with other local communities – but no viable partnerships were identified. Since 2008, the dispatch center has operated with four, instead of six dispatchers, which is optimal for staffing needs, according to Woodard. One position was cut for budget reasons, and a lengthy hiring and training process has slowed the permanent replacement of the other position. This fall, the city saw the retirement of one long-time dispatcher and anticipates the resignation of another, who will transfer to another department, bringing the total staffers to three. Chief Woodard said it’s difficult to fill the dispatcher positions when applicants are worried about their job stability. However, while switching to the Regional Dispatch Center would save the city the initial costs of the digital radio equipment upgrade, the county offers no contractual guarantee on annual costs of service. For example, some communities including Germantown, Phillipsburg and the Miami Valley Fire District, estimated that their annual costs would increase by 35 percent in 2014. A few communities who originally joined the regional center such as Butler Township, Riverside, New Lebanon, Brookville, have left the organization. While the city determines a long-term solution, several current and retired police officers are helping to staff the dispatch center. “Despite the potential for upfront savings if we switched to the regional center, local dispatch communications is an important customer service for our residents,” Townsend said. “We are looking to the community to give us their feedback to help us make this decision.” Residents are encouraged to talk to one of the city council members or call the Civic Center at (937) 847-4633 to comment on the issue.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 14:35:49 +0000