Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian is pleased to announce the Middlesex Sheriff's Office (MSO) has been awarded a $455,000 grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS).
The Regional Emergency Communications Center Development Grant is designed to streamline all 911 emergency calls into one regional entity. The MSO has been tapped to be the conduit for five communities in Middlesex County, including; Wakefield, Melrose, Stoneham, Reading, North Reading and Lynnfield from Essex County.
The recently awarded grant will be used to help fund the engineering and architectural design of a new facility that would house the Middlesex Regional Emergency 911 Communication Center. The center would be governed by representativesof all participating communities.
"We are proud to partner with our local cities and towns to help streamline public safety and ensure our citizens receive the best resources possible," said Sheriff Koutoujian. "This grant will be the first step toward realizing this important public safety facility; one that will increase efficiency and communication across the region."
Currently, all six communities operate their own individual 911 emergency call centers. A feasibility study showed that combining 911 emergency call centers would improve public safety by facilitating resource-sharing across the municipalities . The center will also combine police, fire and EMS dispatch services under one roof.
"The Patrick-Murray administration established the 911 grant program for cities and towns and other entities to cover select personnel and equipment costs and to foster regionalization," said Public Safety Secretary Mary Beth Heffernan.
"We believe a regional communication center like the Sheriff's, allows for increased and more efficient coordination of a region's limited emergency response resources."
By enabling local police departments to rely on a regional entity, they are better equipped to respond to emergencies and will better utilize their sometimes limited resources.
"The development of a regional emergency communications center will have a positive impact by sharing new technologies, saving on redundant systems and allowing for interoperability at local, county, state and federal levels," said Stoneham Police Chief Richard Bongiorno. "Communities served by a regional center will continue to receive exceptional service from police, fire and emergency medical services and will optimize public safety effectiveness."
Read more: Middlesex sheriff's office receives $455,000 grant for regional 911 center - Reading, MA - The Reading Advocate Middlesex sheriff's office receives $455,000 grant for regional 911 center - Reading, MA - The Reading Advocate
The Regional Emergency Communications Center Development Grant is designed to streamline all 911 emergency calls into one regional entity. The MSO has been tapped to be the conduit for five communities in Middlesex County, including; Wakefield, Melrose, Stoneham, Reading, North Reading and Lynnfield from Essex County.
The recently awarded grant will be used to help fund the engineering and architectural design of a new facility that would house the Middlesex Regional Emergency 911 Communication Center. The center would be governed by representativesof all participating communities.
"We are proud to partner with our local cities and towns to help streamline public safety and ensure our citizens receive the best resources possible," said Sheriff Koutoujian. "This grant will be the first step toward realizing this important public safety facility; one that will increase efficiency and communication across the region."
Currently, all six communities operate their own individual 911 emergency call centers. A feasibility study showed that combining 911 emergency call centers would improve public safety by facilitating resource-sharing across the municipalities . The center will also combine police, fire and EMS dispatch services under one roof.
"The Patrick-Murray administration established the 911 grant program for cities and towns and other entities to cover select personnel and equipment costs and to foster regionalization," said Public Safety Secretary Mary Beth Heffernan.
"We believe a regional communication center like the Sheriff's, allows for increased and more efficient coordination of a region's limited emergency response resources."
By enabling local police departments to rely on a regional entity, they are better equipped to respond to emergencies and will better utilize their sometimes limited resources.
"The development of a regional emergency communications center will have a positive impact by sharing new technologies, saving on redundant systems and allowing for interoperability at local, county, state and federal levels," said Stoneham Police Chief Richard Bongiorno. "Communities served by a regional center will continue to receive exceptional service from police, fire and emergency medical services and will optimize public safety effectiveness."
Read more: Middlesex sheriff's office receives $455,000 grant for regional 911 center - Reading, MA - The Reading Advocate Middlesex sheriff's office receives $455,000 grant for regional 911 center - Reading, MA - The Reading Advocate