Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD-3-90_+ ,, _ , TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT p~7jNC; COUNCIL OAS,; MAY 28, 1990 REPORT #: FD 3-90 FILE #: _ 10.12.6 ACT; CENTRAL DISPATCH RECOMMENDATIONS: REPORT #4 ~ ~a ' File # Res. # By-Law # It is respectfully recommended: 1.) THAT Report FD3-90 be received; 2.) THAT approval be given to begin the installation of phone lines and radio equipment required for the establishment of the central dispatch location; 3.) THAT costs incurred for the installation of the telephone equipment, as well as the radio communications console, in the central dispatch location be allocated from Account No. 2900- 00021-0000, being a Reserve Account for Fire Department Communications Equipment; 4.) THAT permission be granted to purchase and install the afore- mentioned equipment, at the earliest possible opportunity and that procedures set out in the Purchasing By-Law #82-92, Section 5 (4) be waived; and 5.) THAT permission be granted to fill the dispatcher positions provided for in the 1990 Budget. BACRGROUND 1.1 At the meeting of Council on March 26, 1990 the Fire Depart- ment's 1990 Budget received approval. One of the major developments approved in the department's current operating budget was the establishment of a Central Dispatch centre, which will be located in Station #1, Bowmanville. This dispatch centre will be staffed on a twenty-four hour basis and will not only supply a dispatch centre for the Town of FD 3-90 - 2 - Newcastle Fire Department, but will also supply after hour service for the Town's various Departments. 1.2 In addition, other organizations have expressed interest in such a service. For example, the Manager of Newcastle Hydro has discussed with staff, in the past, the possibility of having the Town's Fire Department supply after hours dispatching for them, once a Central Dispatch centre has been established. In the circumstances, any interested parties, outside the organization, will be expected to contribute to the costs involved in the operation of the Central Dispatch. 1.3 The Central Dispatch centre will be equipped with a 911 computer and printer once the 911 system is in place. The funding for this equipment is provided through the Town's Regional Tax Levy. This computer and printer will allow .the Town's Fire Department access to the 911 Enhanced System, being installed throughout the Region of Durham. The main benefit of the Enhanced System will be an instant printout of the location of the emergency, even if the caller is unable to verbally advise the operator of the exact. location. COMMENTS 2.1 Several changes will be required to the existing equipment, prior to the full operation of a Central Dispatch centre. 2.2 installation of several telephone lines will be required for numbers such as the Town Works Department. To accommodate the existing telephone lines and the new lines required, installation of a mini switchboard will be required in the Dispatch Centre, at an approximate cost of $7,000.00 for installation and a monthly expenditure of $1,183.90. At present, the Fire Department is paying approximately $1,292.00 monthly for the cost of phone lines in the station, as well as the lines which are used to connect the three re- mote sites to the emergency phones and radio equipment. These costs will be saved under the new system. 2.3 A radio central dispatch console will be required, to allow for the increased channels necessary to service the various users. The system being considered has 8 channel capability with the potential for expansion, when required. Continued... . FD 3-90 - 3 - This console will also provide a built in encoder system used for paging. This will eliminate the need for the ex- isting, older equipment. The possibility exists that the supplier of the new console will allow a credit for the existing equipment as a trade in. This will be subject to discussion once the final supplier is chosen. The console provides other features such as radio/telephone patch, as well as being able to control lights and overhead doors within the station. The approximate cost of this console equipment will be in the area of $20,000.00. The cost of this equipment and its installation should come from the Fire Department Communi- cations Equipment Reserve Account No. 2900-00021-0000. An amount of $50,000, of the total presently in this account, was received from Ontario Hydro and under the Memorandum of Agreement is for the distinct purpose of establishing a Central Dispatch centre and the improvement of radio communications for the Town's Fire Department. 2.4 The staffing of the Dispatch Centre will require four full time personnel. it is recommended that the personnel who are to be hired are capable of not only operating the dispatch centre, but also capable of being utilized as firefighters, if the need should arise. This would allow for the dispatcher to be put on a crew, as a firefighter, on a temporary basis, if a firefighter is in- jured and unable to perform their duties. The requirements for the dispatchers will be the same as those for a firefighter, including the successful completion of the York University Physical Fitness and Stress Test. They will also be required to have some typing skills and a basic know- ledge of computer operations. The job of a dispatcher will include such duties as answering of the department's telephones, both administration as well as emergency. The preparation of a daily log of emergency calls, the updating of pre-fire plan files and location information files. They will, in time, also be required to update computer files on hazardous materials, which we hope to have on line in the near future. They will also be expected to assist in the typing of Fire Prevention Inspection Reports, which are sent out following inspections. This is presently being done by the secretary and is extremely time consuming. Continued... FD 3-90 - 4 - The dispatchers will be required to work shift work, similar to that which firefighters will work, when they are in place on a 24 hour basis. The pay scale for dispatchers will be approximately $23,875 per annum, plus appropriate benefits. CONCLUSION 3.1 It is respectfully recommended that consideration be given to the approval of the implementation of the installation of the required telephone lines and communication equipment at the earliest possible opportunity. This will allow for the necessary arrangements to be made with Bell Canada for installation of the required lines. it will also allow for the purchase and installation of the Central Dispatch console and allow adequate time for all work to be completed, prior to the staffing of the Dispatch Centre. 3.2 It is also respectfully recommended that all funds required for establishing the equipment for Central Dispatch be drawn from Fire Department Communication Equipment Reserve Account No. 2900-00021-0000. This will include the costs of installing the new telephone system as well as the radio console. In order to be consistent with the system used by other municipalities in the Regional system, it is recom- mended that Section 5 (4) of the Purchasing By-law #k82-92 be waived. 3.3 In light of the current situation, regarding the Answering Service personnel, it is respectfully recommended that approval be granted to fill the four dispatcher positions, as provided for in the 1990 Budget. Respectfully submitted, Z ~ L l[ic ael G. C eighton Fire Chief. Recommended for presentation to Council Chief Addii~ilstrative Officer 1dC/sr