Regional Dispatch Center Feasibility Study Moves Forward

The this week announced that a Pennsylvania company has been unanimously chosen to finish a study on the feasibility of combining dispatch functions for Sudbury, Wayland, Weston, Acton, Boxborough, Concord and Lincoln.

Upon completion of the selection process, which included presentations and interviews, L.R. Kimball of Ebensburg, Penn., was selected to complete the study.  

L.R. Kimball will begin work on the study in early April. Completion of the study is expected sometime during the summer, but no later than Sept. 15, according to Sudbury Police Chief Richard Glavin.  

Chief Robert Loomer said these types of feasibility studies have been encouraged by the state in an effort to examine “efficiency of scale when it comes to [911 calls].”

Loomer explained that a state 911 Department oversees 911 services throughout the Commonwealth. In recent years, there has been a push to help communities find efficiencies for their dispatch programs, whatever model they currently use.

Wayland and Sudbury are representative of two different models, Loomer said. In Wayland, 911 calls, police calls, fire calls and medical emergency calls are all handled at a single call center where dispatchers are able to initiate response no matter the type of emergency.

Another model, Loomer said, is used in Sudbury where 911 calls come into the police station. From there, police are dispatched, but if the emergency requires fire or medical response, the call is forwarded to the fire department for dispatch.

“What this study will do,” Loomer said, “they will look at how business is being conducted in each of these towns … and make recommendations.”

Loomer said he is “very satisfied” with the functionality and efficiency of Wayland’s current system, but he is willing and interested to see the results of the regional study.

“Is there another model regional system that can improve the response time and public safety?” Loomer said. “Although I think the [situation] we have right now very much serves our citizens very well, I’m always open-minded to look at other systems.”

The Town of Sudbury applied for and received a $150,000 grant last year from the State Emergency Telecommunications Board regarding the feasibility of a regional dispatch center.

In early November a subcommittee was established consisting of a representative from each community. The committee was given the task of selecting a company from a pool of state certified vendors.

Towns will decide individually how to respond to the recommendations presented in the study report. Loomer said he and Wayland Police Chief Robert Irving will read the report when it is submitted and decide whether to endorse any or all of the recommendations for Wayland. Ultimately, any changes would be up to Wayland’s voters.

“Wayland is always interested in improving the level of public safety services that we can provide to our citizens,” Loomer said. “We are extremely proud of our current system and will not abandon that system unless and until we can be convinced that proposed regional systems would further enhance our ability to do our job.

“We’re looking at the study with an open mind.”