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PUBLIC HEARING
DECEMBER 19, 2002

ATTENDANCE: Kevin Poruban, Fred Bondi, Bruce Kimmel, Bill Krummel

ROLL CALL

Mr. Poruban opened the meeting at 9:05 p.m.

PUBLIC HEARING

Public Safety Board/Create Ordinance Position of Public Safety Supervisor

This was a joint public hearing with the Ordinance Committee. Notations are below:

Mayor Knopp stated that he would urge the Committee to create a Public Safety Board. He further stated that there is no one individual who is assigned to develop emergency contingencies for such events as September 11, 2001. The report that he obtained for establishing a combined dispatch system supports his recommendation.

The item before the Committee presented this evening was a position paper for developing the combined dispatch system. He stated that no one department should have control, but be neutral in that it would take its direction for either Fire or Police. The Board would be created to oversee the combined operation. The Board would oversee the emergency plan City wide in conjunction with the various departments as well as regionally.

The Ordinance creates a dispatcher for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Planning. The State offers a grant to implement and pay for this arrangement. The Personnel Department has been presented with a job description for the position. The Mayor thanked both the Police and Fire Department for collecting the data. He also thanked Mr. Schmidt who developed the draft dated 12/19/02. He stated that this system would give Norwalk a current system that would benefit Norwalk with a process it currently does not have in place.

Chief Verda commented that this system is very needed. It will be totally civilian run. It will make the Fire, Police and MS calls more efficient for the City of Norwalk. He also said that the Mayor has given the Fire and Police extensive input for the director and supervisor position in the Dispatch Center.

Deputy Chief Palmer stated that the dispatch system is currently in the Police Department. He has seen close up how this system currently works, and both he and Chief Rilling, are enthusiastic about a centralize process to enable the City to be more efficient.

Mr. Callahan, Norwalk Health Department, stated that Norwalk is fast tracking and the combination of the health and rescue agencies will be most healthful to the City of Norwalk.

Mr. Schmidt brought attention to the changes. The language in brackets indicated a removal of text. Those words in capital letters are additions. The language has been changed to indicate meetings may not take place each month if there is no business to discuss. A distinction was made between dispatch and notification as the Norwalk Hospital is notified and dispatches ambulances.

Mr. Wien inquired whether the civilian board would have total control over the dispatch center.

Mayor Knopp confirmed that the Board of civilians will be directing the dispatch center and operating the system for efficient use of all the emergency agencies.

Mayor Knopp thanked Mr. Poruban for his participation in developing the process and giving his input.

Mr. Wrenn inquired whether other cities have such a setup.

Mr. Schmidt stated that Waterbury, Farmington, Stamford and Weathersfield have a combined dispatch center to which the State provides grants to operate them.

Mr. Wien asked whether the system would work with other towns with coding in an emergency situation.

Mayor Knopp stated that there is an intertown coding system when a disaster strikes. He said that 9/11 pointed up that there is not enough telecommunication to interact within the State for Police and Fire to act quickly and communicate quickly within surrounding towns. He stated that Norwalk has just received three radios for 800 radio frequency.

Deputy Chief Palmer stated that Norwalk can become involved in the 800 program. SWERPA is also a participant in the communication throughout the CT corridor.

Mr. Wien commented that the smaller towns may not have the advantage to have a combined system and he was concerned about how they would be able to benefit.

Deputy Chief stated that coding is for brevity, not secrecy in order to communicate with others towns through the ITEC system.

Mayor Knopp replied to the question of the number of dispatchers to be set up in the center. He stated that a committee has been formed to advise the City on the number of dispatchers required and work with the unions regarding the increase of numbers when necessary. By centralizing dispatch, the policeman on the inside will be able to go out on the street and become active in the war on crime.

Deputy Palmer described the current system in place and how the new system will be more efficient.

Mayor Knopp commented that the grant will not pay for the entire system. It is a State "pot" to which Norwalk has access for some of the expenses of operating the center. The better management civilian system will reduce overtime and lower the cost for the dispatchers as they would not be policeman, but civilians. This all has to be negotiated with the unions.

The Chairman inquired whether there were any other comments or questions. There being none, the hearing was closed at 8:05 p.m.

Mr. Poruban repeated Mr. Schmidt’s notations of the changes. The language in brackets indicated a removal of text. Those words in capital letters are additions. The language has been changed to indicate meetings may not take place each month if there is no business to discuss. A distinction was made between dispatch and notification as the Norwalk Hospital is notified and dispatches ambulances.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES

There were no minutes to review.

ACTION ON BUSINESS ITEMS

There were no action items.

ADJOURNMENT

The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Alvina L. Richardson

Telesco Secretarial Services

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