Page 11 - Senior Times South Central Michigan July 2022 - 29-07

Senior Times - July 2022 9-1-1 Millage
Page 11
JOIN US IN PUTTING
PEOPLE OVER POLITICS
Dave Morgan has had a lifetime of service as the former Pennfield Charter Township Supervisor, a former Police Officer and United States Air Force Veteran. Dave has always understood the importance of INTEGRITY, LEADERSHIP, and ACHIEVING MEANINGFUL RESULTS for our community. As State Representative Dave will work tirelessly and use every resource possible to bring opportunities and results back to the 44th District.
Vote Tuesday, August 2nd for Dave Morgan for State Representative!
WWW.VOTEDAVEMORGAN.COM VoteDaveMorgan@gmail.com
Paid For By The Committee to Elect Dave Morgan, PO Box 2011, Battle Creek, MI 49016
Aug. 2 Ballot
By: Mike Armitage, Director, Calhoun County Consol. Disp. Auth.
The Consolidated Dispatch Authority of Calhoun County, which manages dis- patch services for Police, Fire, and EMS agencies in the county, has a millage request on the ballot on August 2, 2022. The request for .98 mils over a 10-year levy would result in a significant invest- ment in countywide 9-1-1 services. This funding proposal would also provide dedicated funding for the operation of the consolidated 9-1-1 center in Calhoun County.
Safety Communications System.
• All agencies would move to a single
The major challenges identified that led to the millage request include out- dated technology and lack of redundant systems, which are impeding operations of emergency response in Calhoun County. Currently, there are multiple radio systems being used for emergency communications. Fire departments are on a different system than some law enforcement agencies, which means that they are not able to communicate easily to one another. Some law enforcement agencies can only use the radio in the vehicle, which limits their connectivity outside of the patrol car. The backbone of the fire department radio system is outdated and approaching end of life,
so Consolidated Dispatch has collected spare parts from neighboring counties who no longer use this system. Without redundant and reliable systems, there are vulnerabilities in the critical systems that allow emergency responders to react to situations in Calhoun County.
radio system so that all first responders can communicate, across agencies and even county lines.
If approved by voters on Aug. 2, 2022, the following improvements will be made:
• Additional radio towers will be built,
Calhoun County Commissioners approved this millage in April to be added to the ballot for voters in August for .98 mills assessed on the taxable value of a home. Currently the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch is fund- ed through a $.60 surcharge on phones, and payments from municipalities in the county based on the numbers of calls for service within each township, village, or city. In 2021, dispatch answered 100,504 calls to 9-1-1, 98,705 calls on non-emer- gency lines, and 185 texts. There are 19 fire departments, six police departments and one EMS agency that utilize the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority.
which will improve coverage for public safety, which will allow for Calhoun
to join the statewide Michigan Public
For more details regarding the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority call (269) 781-9709.
• New radios would be purchased for the county agencies, which is then a cost the agencies do not have to purchase or maintain.
• The computer-aided dispatch system would be upgraded to meet industry standards, which manages the daily operations of dispatch.
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