MPUC INQUIRY OPENED FOR PSAP CONSOLIDATION

Augusta, Maine— The Maine Public Utilities Commission opened an Inquiry to allow the Commission’s Emergency Services Communication Bureau (Bureau) to collect information to help its planning process—as directed by the Legislature—for a new configuration of 15-17 PSAPS down from the current 26. The Commission will issue a proposed consolidation plan for comment before submitting its final plan to the Legislature’s Utilities and Energy Committee by November 1, 2010.

“Through this Inquiry, the Commission seeks information and input from interested parties about many aspects of the emergency communications system, including: criteria for determining the number and locations of PSAPs, communications and public safety impact of consolidating call answering and dispatch functions, appropriate methods for identifying which PSAPS to close, and processes, incentives and timeframes for closing,” stated Commissioner Vendean Vafiades.  The Notice of Inquiry contains eighteen general questions for anyone providing comments, and several specific questions for certain regions of the state.

Background: In 2003, the Legislature directed that the number of PSAPs be reduced—to the extent possible--from 48 to a number between 16 and 24. Subsequently, the Commission opened an Inquiry, conducted rule-making and in a September 2006 Order, adopted 25 as the number of PSAPs. Further process in 2007 added one more PSAP for a current total of 26. In 2009, the Legislature directed the Bureau to study and report back on the optimum PSAP configuration for Maine; the Commission contracted with L. R. Kimball Associates, a firm specializing in E911 design and public safety consolidation. Kimball’s study recommended the optimum PSAP configuration consist of 15 to 17 regionally located centers and that PSAP and dispatch functions should be consolidated to the extent possible into these regional centers. The Legislature then adopted the Kimball plan and directed the Bureau to develop a plan by November to reach this recommended configuration.

Process: Comments on this Inquiry should be filed no later than July 12, 2010. Parties may file further comments in response to those filed by July 12th, by July 19th.  Comments should be submitted electronically by following the e-filing instructions on the Commission’s website (www.maine.gov/mpuc ). Anyone without electronic access may mail comments to:  Administrative Director, MPUC, 18 State House Station, Augusta ME 04333. All filings should refer to Docket Number 2010-185. A copy of the full Notice of Inquiry (dated June 15, 2010) and all filed comments can be found on the virtual case file accessed from the website-- look under Case ID: 2010185.

Click here for the Notice of Inquiry