To the
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Report of
the Public Safety Advisory Committee
The charge
of this committee is to make short and long term recommendations concerning
Police, Fire and EMS ( Emergency Medical Service) to the Selectmen.
2006 was a
busy year for the committee. During the winter/spring we produced a survey that
was mailed to all town residents. The survey asked questions regarding opinions
on each of the three services. The response was very strong with 3,200 surveys
returned out of 5,500 mailed out which is an astounding 58% return rate. The
complete results can be viewed on the town web site, www.eastlongmeadow.org In addition to
the success of the survey, we would like highlight the fact that no town funds
were used to pay the costs of this survey. The committee is thankful to Police
Chief Doug Mellis who was able to obtain grant money to pick up the cost.
The
committee met with the appropriations committee to become better informed on
municipal financial matters and with representatives of A.M.R the contractor
which supplies ambulance service to the town to learn more about their
operation.
In October
the committee presented preliminary recommendations to the Board of Selectmen
based on discussions with the Police and Fire Chiefs, AMR management, town
survey results and data from comparable towns.
1)
Establish 24 hr ambulance service supported by the Fire Dept. Expand Fire
Dept staffing over a multi year period with the end result being a Dept
that is staffed 24/7. The Dept is presently staffed Mon-Fri 8am-4pm only.
There was
very strong interest in a Fire Dept supported ambulance service
with positive responses from 80% of surveys returned on this question.
Revenue from this service would offset some of the cost.
2) After
study, the committee concurred with the five year plan submitted by Chief
Mellis for the Police Dept.
The Board
agreed with our preliminary recommendations but also stated they needed
detailed cost/benefit information before discussion would proceed further on
#1. The committee is working on this in 2007.
Andrew
Fraser, Chair
Phil
Chapman, Clerk
George
Moriarty
Barbara
Mulak
Faith
Gentile
John
Bobianski
