SPECIAL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
February 2, 2012

** NOT APPROVED **

Committee Members Present

D. Burdick, C. Crandall, M. Healy, T. Hopkins (absent:  G. Benson, A. McGraw)

 

Others Present

D. Button, L. Edwards, M. Evans, D. Hanchett, J. Luckey, K. Monroe, M. Saia, R. Whitney

 

Public Safety Committee Chairman Dwight “Mike” Healy called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.

 

PSIC Radio Grant Action Plan

Legislator Mike Healy stated that the purpose of this special committee meeting is to discuss the implementation of the high band radio system.  Lt. Daniel Hanchett stated that the county is in the process of moving all users to the high band system.  He passed out an action plan which describes the federal requirement for all users to be on a high band system no later than 1/1/13, and listing the benefits of doing so.  The Sheriff’s Department is suggesting that the county implement only the high band system with all users as of 1/1/14.  He stated that the biggest issue is the cost of maintaining both systems.  (The PSIC Radio Grant Action Plan is attached to the minutes.)

 

In response to a question, Lt. Hanchett noted that the base units in fire stations are owned by the county, with truck radios and portable units being owned by the local departments.  He noted that the county will continue to search for and apply for grants to assist local departments.  Director of Emergency Management and Fire Jeff Luckey commented that he feels the date needs to be extended to 1/1/15 in order to give departments time to apply for grants.  Out of 28 departments in the county, he believes only 8 currently have high band radios, with most of those in the Wellsville area.  Lt. Hanchett noted that SAIA Communications has offered radios to departments at a discount with low-interest loans if needed.

 

In response to a question about texting, Lt. Hanchett noted that a new CAD system will be needed to allow for this.  He estimates this will cost about $120,000 per year for five years. 

 

Director Luckey offered to visit every fire and ambulance department in the county to assess how many radios will be needed and will attempt to have the information at the next committee meeting.  Discussion continued about the implementation date with Sheriff Whitney advocating for the 1/1/14 date, as he feels a firm date needs to be established.  Legislator Hopkins recommended that the committee table a decision on the date to the next committee meeting.  He would like to wait until an inventory of radios available and needed is completed before making a decision.  The committee agreed to table the discussion until the next committee meeting. 

           

Adjournment

            There being no further business to come before the committee, a motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to adjourn the meeting at 10:51 a.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Edwards

Youth Bureau Director/STOP DWI Coordinator