State-of-the-art dispatch center makes its debut

For more than a decade, emergency crews in New Milford have clamored for a new dispatch center capable of communicating with firefighters, police officers and ambulance crews.

Last summer, town leaders and taxpayers appropriated $530,000 -- the department also was awarded a $194,000 federal Homeland Security grant.

Those funds allowed the New Milford Police Department to remodel its former two-room records division into just such a center. That area was moved across the lobby to the former training space.

The plan was to create a no-frills, yet state-of-the-art computerized communications center so up to three dispatchers could multi-task among emergency departments in ways they could not before.

On Jan. 18, desire became reality.

"We were conservative. There are no luxuries. But it is remarkable in its efficiency,'' NMPD Chief Shawn Boyne said last week. "This brings us to 100 percent dependability.''

In a space now large enough for three, generous dispatch stations rather than two cramped ones, the newly operational center has rounded, motorized desks surrounded by large-screen computer monitors.

The monitors can simultaneously show road maps, 911 information and building and jail cell surveillance.

Touchscreens allow dispatchers to multi-task among the town's emergency responders. There is also a large display window for those who come to the station seeking help.

In the event of a blackout, there is a power supply in the basement that prevents disruption in communication from the time the power goes out until the generator kicks in.

"It's like the cockpit of an airplane. Everything in this room has a purpose,'' said Lt. William Scribner, the project director. "For all emergency services, communication is paramount. If you can't do that, you can't do the job.''

Chief Boyne said it was Lt. Scribner's oversight and ability to foster collaboration with the other emergency groups that helped make this "impressive'' addition to the town's public safety network a reality.

Lt. Scribner said there was a lot of donated "sweat equity'' by volunteer firefighters, police officers and ambulance crews.

Public Works' crews also provided technical expertise and labor, he said.

This "sweat equity" helped shave $200,000 off the cost of a new dispatch center, officials said.

"It's great,'' Mayor Pat Murphy commented. "This is our first step in trying to improve our communication for all of our emergency responders.''