HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-11 17-371 ORDERTitle, Order
CITY COUNCIL ACTION 10/11/2017 17-371
Council Meeting Date: 10/11/2017
Item No: 17-371
Responsible Dept: City Manager
Requested Action: Order Map/Lot: N/A
Authorizing the Relocation of the Public Safety Answering Point from the City of Bangor Dispatch to Penobscot
Regional Communications Center no Later than June 1, 2018
Summary
This order will authorize the transfer of the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) from the City of Bangor
Dispatch to Penobscot Regional Communications Center (PRCC) effective June 1, 2018. Recently, the City
was informed of the need to implement Fire Protocols and Police Protocols when answering emergency
calls in the dispatch center. The Police and Fire Chiefs have raised several concerns based on the
experience they have had implementing Emergency Medical protocols. Under the protocol system, the
dispatcher will be required to ask a series of calls before dispatching a vehicle, which can be time
consuming. These additional time constraints will make it necessary to hire additional dispatchers and
may result in diminished service levels, particularly for non -emergency calls.
After evaluating the best alternatives for dealing with these new protocols, the Chiefs have determined
that we can either hire and train additional staffing at a substantial cost or move the PSAP function to
PRCC. Their recommendation is to move the PSAP to Penobscot County for the following reasons: Moving
the PSAP would provide for higher service levels in Bangor by freeing up personnel to handle all
non -emergency calls in Bangor; and it will provide full 24 hour phone coverage for all City Departments in
Bangor; and moving the PSAP function will save money by utilizing funds that the City is already required
to pay for County services; and moving the PSAP to PRCC will concentrate the expertise in emergency
protocols in one location. The Chiefs have also concluded that this move will not slow response time and
may even enhance response times because dispatchers in Bangor will be able to dispatch city emergency
vehicles while folks in County dispatch will be walking through protocols with callers.
Committee Action
Committee:
Action:
Staff Comments & Approvals
Meeting Date: 08/29/2017
For: 8 Against: 0
This item was discussed and recommended for full council consideration at a Council Workshop on August
29th. Council voted that Councilor Tremble had a conflict of interest.
City Manager
Introduced for: New Business
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City Solicitor
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Finance Director
CITY OF BANGOR ORDER
Date: 10/11/2017
Item No: 17-371
Assigned to Councilor: Weston
10/11/2017 17-371
Authorizing the Relocation of the Public Safety Answering Point from the City of Bangor Dispatch to Penobscot
Regional Communications Center no Later than June 1, 2018
WHEREAS, The City of Bangor pays approximately 24 percent of the cost of dispatch services at Penobscot
Regional Communications; and
WHEREAS, Recently, the State instituted new protocols for emergency fire calls which will significantly change
how dispatch personnel handle fire calls; and
WHEREAS, The state is in the process of developing protocols for emergency policy calls which will signficantly
change how policy calls are handled; and
WHEREAS, the new protocols are likely to require a significant increase in staffing and resources to
adequately comply; and
WHEREAS, the Chief of Police and the Chief of Fire have agreed that it is appropriate to move the Public
Safety Answering Point (PSAP) from the City of Bangor to Penobscot Regional Communications Center; and
WHEREAS, Under this model, dispatchers at Penobscot County will answer the 911 emergency lines and walk
callers through the various required protocol questions; and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that the new protocols will be time consuming for one dispatcher in Bangor,
however if calls are answered by dispatchers at PRCC, Bangor dispatch will be notified immediately of the
incoming call and emergency vehicles can be dispatched without delay; and
WHEREAS, moving the PSAP will create greater opportunity to improve emergency and non -emergency
services city wide; and
WHEREAS, moving the PSAP to Penobscot County will defer future expenses and liabilities for the City of
Bangor.
Now Therefore;
Be it Ordered by the City Council of the City of Bangor that,
Effective June, 1, 2018, the City of Bangor will move the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) to Penobscot
County Regional Communications (PRCC).
IN CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 11, 2017
CO 17-371
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED FOR PASSAGE
PASSED
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