Steve Holyfield reports the portable radios were received, cataloged, numbered and the batteries
were charged as of the week of July 4th. They have been distributed to the fire departments. We
are not yet using State of CT frequencies as we are awaiting some dispatch infrastructure
upgrades. Chief Rich and Steve Holyfield were able to combine some funding sources and
allocate the $21,000 to complete the dispatch project. Communications Plus will be doing the
work when they can get us into the schedule. The work includes 2 radio gateways, 4 control
heads, and 4 radios as well as the necessary labor, parts, and accessories to get the 4 fire
frequencies into the consoles.
Steve Holyfield reports he amended the MOU with the State of CT to accomodate the purchase
of more portables by Gales Ferry Fire Co Inc using funds from their State of CT grant. The final
component is the mobile radios for the apparatus. We have received the physical mobile radios, J
and S Radio will be installing them. Due to their schedule, J and S may subcontract the work out
to Communications Plus; we have no objection. Any future purchases of radios will be at the
expense of the fire companies. Steve is working on the grant close out with FEMA.
General discussion - Ambulance transport to crisis intervention centers.
Josh Beaulieu reports a conversation was had with Jeff Way from Backus Hospital. American
still does not have the mechanism in place to transport to a crisis center. Medical Control is
skeptical to allow these transports. There also still needs to be a billing mechanism since health
insurance / medicare require transports to hospitals in order to pay the claims.
Emergency medical dispatch
Police department radio update
Chief Rich reports the police project is fully functional and closed out.
Any Old Business proper to come before the Committee
XI.
NEW BUSINESS
Ledyard Dispatch Update
Chief Rich reports 2 new hires in training (Ryan Whaley, Emma Dailey). Chief Rich brought
copies of the training program packets to share with the committee. Discussion was had
regarding certifications and where the trainees are at in their program. He reports 1 dispatcher
resigned and 1 was hired by the town for another agency. No fulltime vacancies currently and
most of the employees that do leave are leaving for reasons related to pay and benefits. Many of
the fulltimers that have left wish to remain as part time or perdiem. Chief Erhart commented that
there had been some concerns lately with trainee performances and he had reached out to Sgt
Beeler with his concerns. Additional conversation was had that when staffing falls due to
vacancies, existing employees are sensitive to order-ins and sometimes LPD will have sworn
officers sit in dispatch the alleviate mandates. The dispatch center has limited trainer resources
and are also limited by staffing and contractual concerns.
Chief Erhart reports several times the dispatchers have not looked at the action plans and wrong
agencies were assigned to calls or an incorrect dispatch occurred. He's unsure if there is a fix or
if this is a case of patience being required for the dispatcher to develop their skill sets.
