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Barberton, Copley, New Franklin, Norton study joint operation
By Marilyn Miller
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Monday, May 05, 2008
A combined police and fire dispatch service is being considered by Barberton, Copley, New Franklin and Norton officials.
Community leaders say they would save money on equipment, utility costs and space.
The savings in equipment alone is estimated at $109,000 to $219,000.
Each city now has its own dispatch unit, set up in police departments. Some have one person to answer fire and police calls, while others have separate fire and police dispatchers.
''We would all share resources and money and provide better services,'' said Peggy Spraggins, Copley Township administrator. ''We plan to test the combined services in a pilot program for a year, which would begin September 1.''
Spraggins said discussions are still going on with the communities and there's no deadline to join.
Spraggins said officials visited the Red Center in Massillon, which handles 11 fire and 11 police communities and the Wooster Center run by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, which handles 12 fire and seven police agencies in Wayne County.
Each of those dispatch centers handled a high volume of service calls last year: 50,897 at the Stark County center and 37,723 in Wayne County.
Barberton, Copley, New Franklin and Norton combined had 44,554 calls last year.
The Copley dispatch will be used for the initial program, and if it works, a more permanent location will be chosen by the group.
Norton Fire Chief Mike Schultz said one of the locations being considered is at his city's planned new fire station, which would be an up-to-date facility.
He said another facility will also have to be chosen as a backup location with the leftover equipment in case of a natural disaster.
''The idea of a joint dispatch service was initially something Barberton and Norton looked into a few years ago, but it didn't get anywhere,'' Schultz said. ''It has now grown to four communities.
''It makes sense. These communities already have mutual aid agreements, we are all sharing resources every day anyway.
''Regionalism is becoming very popular these days.''
The committee, which is made up of fire and police chiefs, administrators and mayors, visited neighboring joint dispatch units.
''I think it's a great idea,'' said Norton City Administrator Rick Ryland, who is chairman of the committee. ''It will cut down on duplicate costs in consoles, leased equipment and dual coverage in areas.''
Ryland stressed that no jobs will be cut.
''Dispatchers have a grueling job,'' he said. ''They earn every dime they make and we absolutely would not cut jobs''
Ryland said a combined dispatch center would give the communities a larger pool of trained personnel for backup.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.
A combined police and fire dispatch service is being considered by Barberton, Copley, New Franklin and Norton officials.
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