What Purpose Shall Lisbon's Communication Center By Laws Serve?

LIFE OR EMPIRE

The first question is why does Dispatch need By-Laws?  The Lisbon Communication Center is a Division of the Public Safety Department of the town of Lisbon.  As a Division of the town of Lisbon, it should be covered under the By-Laws of the town. 

Is Dispatch going to be a separate business and if it is why should the taxpayers of Lisbon pay for it?   

None of the other Departments or Divisions that enter into contracts have By-Laws so why does Dispatch need By-Laws?  This appears to be another way to prevent the Androscoggin County Commissioners from consolidating Emergency Dispatch services for the county.

Last year, the Androscoggin County Commissioners were struggling with how to handle three communication centers.  Each of these communication centers dispatches police, fire and medical personnel in response to 911 calls.  However, the Lisbon Communication Center does not receive land or cell 911 calls directly.  

All 911 calls are received by a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and in Androscoggin County that is Androscoggin County Dispatch.   

Once received and it is for Lisbon, the Androscoggin County Dispatch relays the information to the Lisbon Communication Center.  This is an extremely critical point of information because along with this relay is a delay in dispatching police, fire and medical.  This delay could range from seconds to however long and in life or death situations this time is crucial for survival.

The Lisbon town council voted 5-1 to retain the Lisbon Communication Center.  This decision caused the Androscoggin County Commissioners to regroup and dump additional funds into the Androscoggin County Dispatch.  This decision also put the residents of Lisbon at risk.   

Putting loyalty or funding ahead of life is inexcusable.  However, this is the current situation in Lisbon.  The consolidation of the Androscoggin County Dispatch with the Lisbon Communication Center would have been an easy transformation and extremely cost effective for the county.  Now, the residents of Lisbon are forced to pay the Androscoggin County tax ($574,198.00 last year) plus the cost to operate the Lisbon Communication Center ($137,787.83 last year).  By consolidating the two communication centers in Lisbon, the town of Lisbon could have eliminated the operating cost and paid only for the services provided.  Also, the town could have charged rent for the space occupied in the town office by the consolidated communication center.

I have included the funding portion but to me the most critical aspect of the consolidation is the elimination of the response time.  Eliminating the delay in response time would mean a fast response time in live or death situations.  Saving lives should always be the deciding factor in any situation.  The council swapped loyalty and funding for lives and this is disgraceful and totally unacceptable.

Now, the council is asked to approve the Dispatch By-Laws.  This is only going to create more problems for the County Commissioners.  This vote will create another obstacle in doing what is right for the people of this county and Lisbon.

Larry Fillmore

We the People 


Editor's Note:

Those who would like to know more should plan on attending the Town Council Meeting tomorrow night at 7:00 PM.  Be there a half-hour early to meet with your favorite councilor and tell them of your concerns, if you have any.