Amherst, Hadley, the University of Massachusetts, Pelham, South Hadley, South Hadley Fire District 2, Ludlow, Ware, Wilbraham and East Longmeadow all want to be considered.
AMHERST – While the numbers are preliminary, the state predicts that a regional emergency dispatch center here could save between $532,000 and $646,000 per year for a five-member regional system – and even more with additional participants.
“We’re very happy with (the numbers). It just confirms that this makes a lot of sense,” Amherst Town Manager Laurence R. Shaffer said.
He is plugging the numbers into various charts to show prospective participants what the savings would be.
Laurence R. Shaffer Amherst began looking at regionalizing with Hadley and the University of Massachusetts in the spring of 2008. Belchertown expressed an interest soon after.
Later, Pelham, South Hadley, South Hadley Fire District 2, Ludlow, Ware, Wilbraham and East Longmeadow asked to be included in the feasibility study.
The state awarded $125,000 for that study last year and it was recently completed. Officials are waiting to see how much the state would contribute.
Frank Pozniak, executive director of the state’s 911 Department, said it’s difficult to provide accurate numbers because the center would not open until 2012, and other communities considering a regional approach are also seeking subsidy estimates. “We’re trying to do the best we can (with estimates.) We want them to succeed,” he said.
Shaffer asked for both the lowest and highest estimates so he could give communities a range of savings.
Shaffer said up to 10 communities are considering becoming part of the center. Pozniak said he is expecting estimates for at least seven members in a few weeks.
Shaffer said once he has the cost-saving charts completed, he’ll invite UMass and the other communities to a meeting. Those who agree to sign on would form a consortium.
The state has also awarded the town a $735,000 grant to pay for pre-construction and design costs for a regional center.
Pozniak said the state is very much in favor of regional dispatch systems.
Besides costs savings, they are “a public safety benefit.” By answering calls and dispatching emergency vehicles from “under one roof, you’re saving time” in emergency response, he said.
