The Orion Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously on March 1 to remain with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department for the answering of cellular 911 calls in the township.
The board first reviewed the issue in February, after the OCSD requested they formally make them their wireless 911 dispatch location. The township has already contracted through 2006 with the Village of Lake Orion as their local dispatch center.
‘It doesn’t make sense to route calls to Orion Village,? said OCSD Lt. Bruce Naile, commander of the Orion Substation. ‘They could then go to Oxford, and back to the sheriff’s department. It’s three transfers and it’s unnecessary.?
Naile said the national average for the number of 911 calls pertaining to police was 85 percent, and 15 percent for fire and medical emergencies.
‘The contract rates are already set for the next four years,? he said.
Lake Orion Village Police Chief Jerry Narsh told the board the village had already been preparing for the past four years to be able to handle wireless 911 calls as they were already the local dispatch center chosen by the township.
‘The reason I’m here isn’t to compete,? he said. ‘It caught us by surprise that this matter came to your attention to begin with.?
Narsh said the village has been the township’s local dispatch center for nearly 20 years.
‘In that time we’ve performed, I think, admirably,? he said. ‘As cellular technology has evolved, the county has encouraged local dispatch centers to segue into receiving 911 cell calls.
‘We had been preparing for this to provide that service to you,? Narsh said.
By nature of the contract in place between the village and the township, Narsh said he didn’t believe it was in the township’s best interest to split the 911 calls.
‘The equipment we have is the same as the sheriff’s department has,? he said. ‘There’s no need to increase staff or equipment.?
Trustee Richard Tomczak wondered if it would be legal for the board to go with the OCSD after contracting with the village for dispatch service.
‘Is the township violating the agreement?? he asked. ‘I don’t think we should break agreement with the contract we have with the village.?