New plan for local dispatch eyed amidst reports of problems

 

copyright the Chronicle January 20, 2016

by Joseph Gresser

NEWPORT — An offer by the Newport City Police Department to take over responsibility for dispatching Orleans County emergency responders has drawn interest from a number of departments.

Some have complained of poor dispatching service since the center was moved from the State Police barracks in Derby to Williston. In particular, there have been mix-ups between Newport City and Newport Center.

At least one fire department, though, is feeling less enthusiastic about the city’s offer after a meeting with a representative of the State Police Monday evening.

Newport Police Chief Seth DiSanto told the city council at its meeting Monday night that he has met with Northeast International Mutual Aid, representatives of Orleans County emergency medical responders, and town officials to explain the proposal and received a good response from each.

In an interview last week, Chief DiSanto explained his idea, saying that Newport is offering to expand its dispatch service to cover the entire county. At present, he said, the city’s dispatch service operates during the day and evenings on weekdays.

The additional cost of making it a full-time service would be about… To read the rest of this article, and all the Chronicle‘s stories, subscribe:

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