NORTON: The joint dispatch center serving both the city of Norton and Copley Township may expand to include Barberton.
Copley and Norton officials approved applying for a low-interest loan last week to help with funding. Barberton meets Tuesday to approve a similar ordinance.
Each community can apply for up to $100,000 in the application process so the total funding request would be $300,000.
Copley Township Trustee President Helen Humphrys said originally six communities were being considered, but so far only Barberton has expressed interest. She said the money will be used for equipment and to update the operation center. This is the fourth year Copley and Norton have shared police, fire and EMS services.
Norton Administrator Rick Ryland said the low-interest loan is through the Ohio Department of Development. Its Local Government Innovation Fund (LGIF) program carries a 10-year payback.
The loan is just one of many options officials are looking into for additional funding. They are also seeking grants.
“We’re still hoping others come on board. It’s not just restricted to the three communities. We want to make it as viable and cost-effective as we can and still use the best practices to protect these communities,” Ryland said. “We know there are savings for each of the communities by combining everything together; Copley and Norton have proven that our costs are less by working together. I think as that grows and all of us tighten our belts a little bit more, the more we can work together and do things as a singular unit taking care of three, four, five communities or however big it would grow, the better off we all are.”
The ultimate plan is to move the entire operation to Norton’s new fire station.
Norton fire Chief Mike Schultz said when the new fire station was built, the plans included a room for the future site of a joint dispatch system in hopes of a more regional approach.
The room is empty but very much available.
Copley fire Chief Michael J. Benson, who heads the dispatch joint venture, said the cost to move to Norton was estimated at about $100,000.
“We had to decide whether it made sense to spend the money if everything was working well in Copley, but when Barberton said they were serious about coming on board with us and they were talking to us before back in 2008, it made more sense to make the move because now we can split the cost three ways, which makes the cost benefit even better.”
The operation would shift to Norton, and Copley would be used as a back-up system.
Benson said the goal is to be fully operational in Norton by January 2013.
“We could join now, but it is not the ideal setup,” Barberton fire Chief Kim Baldwin said. “Copley would stay functional and when ready to move, employees won’t have to move things or shut down the existing operation, they can just switch over by reporting to work in Norton, rather than to Barberton.”
He said Barberton would most likely dismantle its center.
Baldwin said Barberton had 20,000 fire, police and EMS calls alone last year, and Copley and Norton combined handled 20,000 calls.
“No one would lose their jobs if Barberton joined the dispatch center, all the employees would be pooled together,” Baldwin said. “The only change would be that the 10 full-time dispatchers, who also serve as jailers, would either be full-time dispatchers or full-time jailers doing one or the other.”
Officials said two dispatchers would be on duty at all times.
“It’s just a good idea of the communities working together to lower their overall costs, but yet give a very effective and efficient operation,” Ryland said.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.