polkaroo
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- Joined
- Apr 14, 2002
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Council looking at new emergency dispatch system
By Sarah McGoldrick
12/20/2006
The final meeting of council before the holidays, dealt with a number of housekeeping matters.
Leading the meeting of December 18th was a presentation by Centre Wellington Fire Chief Brad Patton on the establishment of a polygon system to help municipalities determine who will respond to emergency calls.
Patton noted many communities share similar street names which make it difficult for dispatchers to determine which department should respond. The result is longer response times.
"I was a little surprised this hadn’t been implemented," said Patton.
In the report written by Community Emergency Management Coordinator Linda Dickson, who was unable to attend the meeting, the scope of the problem was outlined in greater detail.
It noted many communities share dispatching services which are out of the service area. This means dispatchers are unfamiliar with the area and require further steps to locate emergencies.
London, for example, is the dispatch centre for the Wellington County OPP, while Cambridge is the dispatch centre for Royal City Ambulance.
"The polygon system allows dispatchers to determine which fire department to respond to which jurisdiction," said Patton.
The Guelph Fire Department handles the dispatching for 12 of the 13 volunteer fire departments in Wellington County.
The recommendation brought before council requested the County front the initial cost of setting up the system, with the municipalities handing any additional costs.
The expected start up cost is $34,744 including the cost of County planning personnel.
When asked what future costs may be anticipated, Patton answered the system would be a one-time purchase.
"I don’t anticipate any future costs. This is a one-time set up," he said, adding a potential cost may be splitting the system again between Fergus and Elora.
Council approved the decision to send the recommendation to the County. This will allow the system to be included in the 2007 budget process. Further review from other municipalities is still pending.
Council looking at new emergency dispatch system
By Sarah McGoldrick
12/20/2006
The final meeting of council before the holidays, dealt with a number of housekeeping matters.
Leading the meeting of December 18th was a presentation by Centre Wellington Fire Chief Brad Patton on the establishment of a polygon system to help municipalities determine who will respond to emergency calls.
Patton noted many communities share similar street names which make it difficult for dispatchers to determine which department should respond. The result is longer response times.
"I was a little surprised this hadn’t been implemented," said Patton.
In the report written by Community Emergency Management Coordinator Linda Dickson, who was unable to attend the meeting, the scope of the problem was outlined in greater detail.
It noted many communities share dispatching services which are out of the service area. This means dispatchers are unfamiliar with the area and require further steps to locate emergencies.
London, for example, is the dispatch centre for the Wellington County OPP, while Cambridge is the dispatch centre for Royal City Ambulance.
"The polygon system allows dispatchers to determine which fire department to respond to which jurisdiction," said Patton.
The Guelph Fire Department handles the dispatching for 12 of the 13 volunteer fire departments in Wellington County.
The recommendation brought before council requested the County front the initial cost of setting up the system, with the municipalities handing any additional costs.
The expected start up cost is $34,744 including the cost of County planning personnel.
When asked what future costs may be anticipated, Patton answered the system would be a one-time purchase.
"I don’t anticipate any future costs. This is a one-time set up," he said, adding a potential cost may be splitting the system again between Fergus and Elora.
Council approved the decision to send the recommendation to the County. This will allow the system to be included in the 2007 budget process. Further review from other municipalities is still pending.