Madison fire chiefs issue ultimatum

06/12/2006

Cynthia Baran , Shoreline Bureau Chief

MADISON — Frustrated with what they view as the town’s lack of action on emergency dispatch problems, the chiefs of the town’s two volunteer fire companies have issued an ultimatum: If improved performance benchmarks aren’t met by April 2007, combine dispatch services with Guilford. This, in turn, has prompted the Police Commission to flex its muscles, saying both police and ambulance interests must be at the table in any decision regarding dispatch services.

The Board of Selectmen is expected to discuss and take action on a short-term plan for dispatch, when it meets at 8 a.m. this morning.

According to Police Commission Chairman Emile Geisenheimer, 911 emergency dispatch is a complex issue, and if Madison is to come up with a solution satisfactory to all it is time to bring in the services of an independent consultant.

Madison Hose Company and the North Madison Volunteer Fire Department have been promoting combined dispatch services with Guilford for two years. Last month, just hours before a town meeting vote on combining, the selectmen canceled the meeting.

They said they had learned that if Madison sends its emergency dispatch operation to Guilford, the state will pull out thousands of dollars worth of radio equipment Madison has as a primary dispatch center.

Fire officials said the town has known for at least six months that the state would take out equipment.

First Selectman Tom Scarpati was unsuccessful in getting the state to change its mind on removing equipment, which Madison would still need in a dispatch contract with Guilford.

Madison Hose Fire Chief Robert Gerard and North Madison Fire Chief Eric Alletzhauser made a "last chance" proposal to Scarpati earlier this month:

"Fire companies agree to give the town more time to improve dispatch. In return, the town agrees to regionalize dispatch if certain benchmarks are not met during this time period."

The town will have until October "to properly structure dispatch" and until April 2007 to meet performance measures, according to the fire chiefs’ proposal. "If either deadline is not met, the town will regionalize," according to the fire chiefs.

"If metrics are not met, a four-person committee will make the decision on whether or not to stay," the fire chiefs stated. "The vote must be unanimous." The four people listed for the committee are Selectwomen Noreen Kokoruda and Kathi Traugh and the two fire chiefs.

The Board of Selectmen may decide that Geisenheimer’s suggestion for a disinterested third party, expert in emergency dispatch operations, to make recommendations is the best course.

Scarpati wants to hire Ed Brundt, a retired state trooper, to oversee the town’s dispatch operations. The position would be part time.

"One part-time supervisor is not a management system," Alletzhauser said. "We haven’t seen any job description on paper, no explanation of his duties. There has been no communication with us about what his role will be. Nothing. There has been nothing."

The fire chiefs want an emergency medical dispatch review of Madison measured by a hospital and they want a "full complement of trained dispatchers on all shifts."

Gerard and Alletzhauser want additional training for dispatchers and a progressive discipline system for dispatchers.

Cynthia Baran can be reached at cbaran@nhregister.comor 458-5768.