Taxpayers could save $112,000
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Cost-saving changes to the way Aroostook County processes emergency calls through the 9-1-1 system dominated the October 1 meeting of county commissioner’s at the Houlton District Court Building. Chairman Paul J. Adams (Houlton), Commissioners Norman L. Fournier (Wallagrass) and Paul J. Underwood (Presque Isle), County Administrator Douglas F. Beaulieu, County Sheriff James P. Madore invited Penobscot Regional Communications Center (PRCC) Executive Director James E. Ryan Jr. to discuss the feasibility of having PRCC assume the responsibility for answering 9-1-1 calls.
Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Elna Seabrooks
THOUGHTFUL COMMISSIONERS — Aroostook County Commissioners listen intently as James E. Ryan, Jr. describes a potentially money-saving 9-1-1 service. If approved, the new emergency answering system could go into effect after the county’s current contract with the state -expires at the end of the year. Counter-clockwise from right: Ryan (standing), County Sheriff James P. Madore and commissioners — Norman L. Fournier, Paul J. Adams and Paul J. Underwood.
After the commissioners called the meeting to order, they unanimously approved the revised order of the agenda and the minutes of the September 17 commissioners’ meeting. Some administrative matters were discussed regarding attendance records, bills and warrants.
Service switch may save thousands
The commissioners then listened to a presentation by Ryan who discussed the PRCC’s Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) which links all 9-1-1 calls in Penobscot with police, fire and ambulance emergency service personnel excluding Bangor, Indian Island and the University of Maine. As a 9-1-1 public safety dispatch center, it serves 77 fire agencies and 11 law enforcement agencies.
Aroostook County currently pays just under $190,000 for 9-1-1 service provided by the Maine Department of Public Safety located in Houlton. Due to a rate-making process before the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the rate could potentially jump $112,000 to $302,000 to cover personnel costs and capital expenditures based on end-user fees.
In order to avoid passing the increase on to taxpayers, the commissioners are considering the feasibility of alternative service for landline 9-1-1 calls which may require approval from the PUC. If Aroostook County switches service from the Department of Public Safety to PRCC, landline 9-1-1 calls will be transferred to dispatchers through Ryan’s PSAP. However, cellular 9-1-1 calls will continue to go directly to the State Police.
Commissioner Fournier inquired whether cellular calls, as opposed to landline calls, would be charged to Aroostook County if the service were to change. Ryan responded that he did not believe that Aroostook would be charged. Administrator Beaulieu said that after discussing that point with Kevin Scott at the Regional Communications Center in Houlton, Scott said all cellular 9-1-1 calls are the responsibility of the state.
Ryan said last year, Aroostook County handled 18,000 9-1-1 calls, 7,000 of which were cellular calls. Peak times were between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. He added, according to policy, 90 percent of 9-1-1 calls must be answered within 10 rings. To provide reliable service without sacrificing quality, he would have to hire four additional people – one person per shift. Including administration, training, equipment, and personnel, Ryan said the cost for service would be $180,000. Aroostook County currently pays $189,800.
“Our intent is not to make money. Our intent is to do what’s right for the citizens. Our intent is to do what’s right for county helping county and it’s not to get rich off your expense,” Ryan continued.
Handling emergencies
Fournier also inquired how calls would be handled when towns share fire departments. Ryan explained how calls are transferred. “It’s in the computer. The computer tells us … On the 9-1-1 system you have three buttons there – fire, EMS, police. And, when they answer the call if they say ‘my house is burning up,’ you hit the fire button. The fire button is going to send that call to whatever is programmed into the computer …. It’s pre-programmed.”
Concerns over dropped calls and personnel unfamiliar with Aroostook County were discussed. Ryan said that the system is the same and his staff does not dispatch the calls. The only difference would be that instead of Houlton transferring the call, the PSAP would do it. “All they need to know is that a call is coming in on this number and this exchange, and they’ve got to send it to this agency. It’s the agency that’s going to dispatch the call. That’s going to be the same agency that’s dispatching it now.” Ryan added that the 9-1-1 system has mapping and Aroostook County’s snowmobile trails, schoolhouses, ATV trails, etc. would be added as well.
Adams inquired what the next step would be if the commissioners decide to proceed with the changeover. Ryan said after an official request for service, he would have to interview, screen, hire and train staff. Additionally, there would be a test to make sure calls are coming into the system from residences and businesses.
Underwood said after several inquiries, he was told the Penobscot PSAP was one of the two best services in the state. The commissioners expressed an interest in moving the process forward. Bealieu will present the proposal to the Aroostook Municipal Association for a possible changeover date of March 1.
Additional Discussions
The commissioners also reviewed the following agenda items:
Two part-time corrections officers. Approved unanimously;
A request to increase the fee for snow removal for southern Aroostook County;
A grant of $661 from the Maine Municipal Association for the purchase of a flammable liquid safety cabinet for maintenance department;
North Lakes Fire and Rescue will re-apply next year to the Department of Homeland Security for gear and a truck after being denied;
Maine pre-trial report for July 2008 — the sheriff said there is a backlog on the docket;
Vern Ouellette, the EMA director is being recognized October 24 by the Board of Aroostook Mental Health Center for service to residents; and
Vehicles have been awarded to the high bidder — Jersey One Auto Sales — which has not taken possession.
There being no other business, the commissioners went into executive session to discuss a personnel matter. No action was taken.
The next meeting is set for October 15 at the courthouse in Caribou.
