Because of a state mandate to consolidate emergency call centers, Buxton could wind up paying for a service it now gets free of charge.
Buxton could face a switch in who handles the town’s emergency 911 calls. The York County Communications Department now answers those calls free for Buxton.
That could change under plans to reduce the number of emergency call centers. A regional committee looking at fewer emergency call centers in York County could leave Buxton calling for help.
Cliff Emery, chairman of the Buxton Board of Selectmen, said Tuesday that Buxton has no idea “right now” who would be their emergency call provider in the future.
Emery and Buxton Police Chief Jody Thomas are going to a regional committee meeting at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5, in Sanford Town Hall to hear about emergency call center reduction plans for York County.
“It’s all still up in the air,” Emery said.
With a state mandate to reduce emergency call centers, two options have been recommended to the county in a study. The current 11 emergency call centers in York County could be consolidated into one. Under another option, consolidation could lead to three or four regional emergency call centers in the county. Emery said no one knows what the cost for a new building and land or equipment and software for an emergency call center would be, but he was sure of one thing.
“It won’t be cheap,” Emery said.
Only emergency call centers are under a state mandate to be reduced. Each community could still have a dispatch center.
Sandra Simonds, York County communications manager since 1997, said that the Maine Public Utilities Commission wants to reduce emergency call centers from 48 statewide to between 16 and 24. She said the PUC has suggested three for York County.
“We’re dealing with downsizing,” Simonds said.
From Alfred, York County currently dispatches for 15 of its towns and handles emergency calls for 16 in addition to three other communities outside of their county. Under the current format, the county doesn’t bill Buxton to handle emergency calls. The state pays for the emergency call system.
Thomas said the county has done a good job for Buxton. But with consolidation, the town could possibly have to look for another emergency call provider. She said Buxton would be too small to become an emergency call center.
Buxton has five full-time dispatchers in Buxton and one part-time dispatcher in training. They man the Buxton dispatch center around the clock. Emery said selectmen favor keeping the town’s dispatch center.
The dispatch budget in Buxton this year is $189,500. Neighboring Hollis pays Buxton $30,000 a year to handle its dispatching. “We have regionalization,” Thomas said.
Simonds, a former county dispatch supervisor, said the study indicated that one central emergency call center combined with dispatching for all the communities in York County would save half of the combined $6 million in current yearly operating costs.
Often times in Buxton, residents don’t dial the emergency line. “A large majority of calls that should be 911 come in on the business line,” Thomas said.
And Buxton dispatchers also answer calls from senior citizens who check in each morning. A six-year veteran, Mike Mains, who is the senior Buxton dispatcher, recognizes many of the town’s residents by their voice. “You can tell if they’re sick,” Mains said, a Bonny Eagle High School graduate in 1993.
Thomas likes Buxton having its own dispatchers and offering the personal touch. With one on duty each shift, Buxton dispatchers are busy. For October, there were 718 calls for assistance from police. As of Dec. 27, dispatchers had answered 985 calls for emergency medical assistance. They also handle calls for Buxton Public Works Department.
“I’m used to the fast pace,” said Amy Strandberg, a member of Buxton Rescue who is training as a dispatcher. “I love it.”
The potential consolidation of emergency call centers hasn’t stopped one Buxton dispatcher from working toward national certification. Dispatcher Melissa Morang is on the road to earning national 911 certification.
Morang, a recent graduate of an advanced course for dispatchers at Southern Maine Community College, enrolled for her own enrichment and for the town.
“Not a chance,” she said about the possibility of leaving Buxton. “I do like it here.”
Morang, who once worked for AAA road service, is also used to handling a large call volume. She sharpened her skills in the recent class, graduating with an A. “I can see a change in her,” Thomas said.
She said Buxton dispatchers have the desire and attitude of professionals. “They seem to be happy here, and I want them to have the training that is available to dispatchers,” Thomas said.
In a memo last month to selectmen, Thomas said Buxton would be reimbursed $300 of the $600 tuition for the course Morang completed, earning Maine Criminal Justice Academy credits. “I felt it was important to let you know that Melissa is a great employee and very dedicated to her position with the town,” Thomas wrote. “Now she is one of the first to be a certified dispatcher.”
Emery read the commendation at the selectman’s weekly meeting. “It’s a proud moment when one of our employees has moved forward,” Emery said.
Thomas is pleased with the Buxton dispatch staff. She said they’re sharing information well and are concerned for others. “I’m happy with my people,” Thomas said. “I hope it stays the same. I’d hate to see the town lose this type of service.”
(Buxton dispatch 1) – Dispatcher Melissa Morang, who is eligible for a national 911 exam, wants to stay in Buxton and Buxton Police Chief Jody Thomas is “happy” with her dispatch staff.Send questions/comments to the editors.
