Regional E-911 dispatch center eyed

The Middlesex County Board of Supervisors (MCBS) is learning about the possibility of consolidating local E-911 centers into regional emergency dispatch communication operation centers.

The county recently paid approximately $3.6 million to revamp the old Lewis B. Puller Center building at Cooks Corner into the Middlesex County Sheriff’s office and offices for officials of the Middlesex County Emergency Services Department.

The old Saluda sheriff’s office currently houses the sheriff’s office and the E-911 emergency dispatch communication center. The new Cooks Corner facility will not house the E-911 dispatch center as dispatchers will remain at the old sheriff’s department building.

Regional Centers

At the MCBS April 8 board meeting, King & Queen County Emergency Services Coordinator Greg Hunter presented a long-term plan proposing regional dispatch services for the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. This would result in closing down county E-911 centers and consolidating into regional centers.

Middlesex County Administrator Matt Walker said that he is “very excited” about the possibility of a regional dispatcher system. “It will save a lot of money and create an environment where there is less competition between the localities in trying to retain dispatchers.”

He said one advantage is that with a regional concept the radio equipment would be consistent throughout the region. He said there are currently six different types of radio systems and vendors in the region. “There is no standard operational use plan,” he said. “No secure communication beyond proprietary digital systems.”

Hunter also said that a regional concept often brings all of the “potential partners” into the same building. The regional center will serve the participating counties sheriffs’ offices, fire departments, EMS, VDOT, state police…