After Lynn visit, Swampscott rethinking regional dispatch

SWAMPSCOTT – Town officials got a close-up view of Lynn’s fire dispatchers on Thursday evening and were impressed with what they saw.Lynn Fire has been handling fire dispatch for Swampscott since 1994 and it also handles dispatch for the Nahant Fire Department.Town officials have been working for almost five years on an agreement to enter into a long-term contract with the proposed Essex County Regional Dispatch for emergency dispatch services, which would include fire and police.Selectmen have asked for additional information on civilian dispatch options, including regionalization with neighboring communities so selectmen visited Lynn Fire Dispatch to see how its regional fire dispatch operation works.Selectman Robert Mazow said he was impressed with the way the civilian dispatcher handled calls and the high level of professionalism he witnessed.?It’s a great operation there,” he said. “There is a real camaraderie between Lynn, Swampscott and Nahant. The departments clearly have each other’s back. Civilian dispatch is the wave of the future. It’s just a question of where and when.”Selectman David Van Dam said the tour gave him a better understanding of how dispatch works.?Being a layperson, not a firefighter, I didn’t understand the concept of dispatch until I saw it first-hand,” Van Dam said. “The facility was impressive and the civilians doing the dispatch were even more impressive. I feel secure with Lynn handling the fire dispatch for Swampscott ? “Van Dam pointed out the proposed 911 dispatch with Essex Country Regional Dispatch would involve moving fire dispatch to Middleton.?I was more focused on police dispatch,” Van Dam said. “When I was informed fire dispatch would move from Lynn to Middleton, I realized it is about more than police. It is also about fire so I wanted to know more about the fire dispatch we currently have.”Selectman Jill Sullivan agreed the Lynn Fire Dispatch operation was first -rate.?It was extremely impressive,” Sullivan said. “But we have a lot more research to do and are trying to get more information before we make a decision on dispatch.”Town Meeting members voted in 2009 to allow selectmen to enter into an intergovernmental contract for regional dispatch services for a period of up to 10 years.To date, the selectmen have not entered into an agreement. Sullivan said she expects the 911 dispatch will be discussed at a Board of Selectmen meeting next month.Selectman Richard Malagrifa, who didn’t go on the tour because he was out of town, said he had first-hand experience with dispatch when he worked for Greyhound Bus Lines years ago as a dispatcher.?I’m in favor of civilian dispatch,” Malagrifa said. “Police officers are not professional dispatchers. They are jacks of all trades and, to me, civilian dispatch is the way to go.”Malagrifa said he believes in regionalization to save money, but he is not convinced the proposed Essex County Regional Dispatch Center is the solution.Fire professionals agreed the regional civilian dispatch system that is in place for Nahant, Swampscott and Lynn is effective in terms of cost and public safety.Swampscott Acting Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Breen, who accompanied the selectmen on the tour, served on the committee that negotiated the agreement with Lynn back in 1994.?At that time (1994) creating a regionalized civilian dispatch was a rather bold step,” Breen said. “It wasn’t something that was done much. We’re very pleased with the way the collaboration has worked out over the years. It has saved the town a lot of money over the years.”Nahant Fire Chief Edward Hyde also agreed the regionalized dispatch is working well for Nahant.?We’ve had a very good relationship with them,” Hyde said. “They are very professional.”