03-23-83 Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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min u tur apart • Olo tt t Mount= Council of ilir Oitig of f outs Nrnb PUBLIC SAFETY • The March 23, 1983 meeting of the Public Safety Committee was called to order at 3 :30 p.m. by Councilman-John J. Harris, Jr. in the Council chambers. Persons in attendance included Councilmen McGann, Taylor, Harris, Beck, Crone, Zielinski, and Voorde, Citizen Member Richard Thomas, Eli Miller, Sheriff William Richardson, Fire Chief John Goorde, Richard Hill, Commissioner Henry Ferratti, Fire Chief Gene Goddard, Mr. Lowe, Harvey Shaffer, Dennis Shaffer, Richard Brieley, Michael Howe, Charles Shaffer, Glen Zubler, Chief Hargraves, Paul Bodnar, Marchmont Kovas, Dick Maginot, various other members of the township fire and police departments, various members of the news media, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilman Harris noted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the feasibility and advisability of joining together to establish a county wide emergency communication and dispatch system. • Councilman Voorde noted that approximately two weeks ago he approached the Board of Public Works with regards to a county wide communications system. In light of the fact that the City of South Bend was receiving bids for communications equipment in the amount of approximately $226 , 000, he thought an effort to touch base with all of the various surrounding communities would be in order prior to reviewing such an expenditure. He noted that he was in contact with Mayor Kovach who informed him that the City of Mishawaka would be combining their -communications systems for police, fire and EMS this year for an approximate cost of $200, 000. He noted that he contacted Sheriff Richardson and was informed that he also hoped to have an appropriation for improved communications equipment for the county. Councilman Voorde noted that the idea was not new or unique, and that studies on this topic have been going on for the past ten years. He nro ed that such an idea would have technical, financial, and urisdictiona]�an.o ems would have to be addressed, but that a preliminary /Reefgparties would be advisable to see if it was an idea "whose time had come. " Eli Miller, Vice-President of Community Development for the Area Chamber of Commerce then passed out information to the ouncil members. He noted that in the summer of 1980 an inter-loca) t°as�EnEoe c was established to study long range planning. One of the activities resulting from this study was a need for a unified .emergency communications system. In the summer of 1982 a consensus was reached that a unified communications system should be a goal of the community. He noted that the study included the number of emergency vehicles within the area, the number of personnel, the number of staff support, and an inventory of all available equipment. He noted that bids were received from Motorola and Advance Communications of 'G E. He closed by complimenting the City for the idea of combining the police and fire systems, and the Mayor' s decision to delay the filing of the appropriation ordinance. He closed by stating that the Chamber of Commerce and Project Future wholly support a unified communications system. Sheriff William Richardson complimented the many organizations for their work in this area. He noted that ideally a unified communications system should be built together to serve the tax paying public. However St. Joseph County was not ready financially at this time. He noted that presently within the county there are eight ambulance services, fourteen fire departments, •all •wn• ! ^ /VSN•MIM•CO.