Firefighters oppose fee for dispatch
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Published: February 28, 2009
ST. JOHNSBURY — Vermont State Police are considering charging fire departments fees for dispatching fire calls around the state.
The move has prompted Northeast Kingdom firefighters to call a March 16 meeting with Vermont's public safety commissioner in Orleans to discuss their concerns.
Typically, State Police provide dispatching services to police, sheriff, emergency and fire departments.
Some law enforcement agencies pay for the service, but most fire and rescue departments don't.
The added cost would be a burden on town budgets, said Stephen Roberts, a member of the Newport Center Fire Department.
But the demands on dispatchers at the state's four answering centers is increasing, said state Police Capt. Alan Buck.
More communities are beefing up local policing and expect dispatching services, he said. State police now dispatch for Brighton and Canaan, he said.
The idea to charge fire departments came up after the Brandon Police Department stopped paying for dispatch services to save money.
The state police, which is required to provide default dispatching around the state, does not have the power to demand that the town continue to pay, Buck said.
It also could not set dispatching fees, Buck said. The Legislature would have to, he said.
Area lawmakers don't like the idea.
"It's not going over very well down here," said Sen. Bobby Starr, D-Essex-Orleans.
"I'm inclined to say this is a non-starter," said Sen. Vincent Illuzzi, R-Essex-Orleans.
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