Who's Dispatching Somers FD?

[x635 4,066]

I know Somers was supposed to be switching to 60 Control, but it sounds like they are still dispatching in-house. How are they staffing their dispatch center?

[sympathomedic 383]

We are paying WEMS many tens of thousands of dollars a year to do it. They guy wrote up the contract as a Somers FD commissioner was voted out of office (came in third in a three=way race as an incumbent running against two non-members!) Surprise! He is now the dispatch supervisor for WEMS!

[x635 4,066]

I thought WEMS contract ended in December? The dispatch center sounds different on the radio, and also a lot of new voices.

http://www.emtbravo.net/index.php/topic/49735-somers-may-switch-to-60-control-for-dispatching/?hl=somers

I've heard about all kinds of conflicts of interest between members of WEMS, Somers, and 60 Control. Like the Commissioner who drew up the WEMS contract got voted out as Commissioner, and when he did, he was made WEMS Communications Supervisor. Or their was a new hire at 60 Control that ended up not finishing probation who was also a Somers FD Commissioner, when he was at 60 he pushed for the switch, when he left 60 he pushed against the switch.

Doesn't this contract have to go out to bid for professional services in the first place? I mean, the contract for EMT"s had to go out to bid.

I've also been told if there is no one at Lincolndale, there would be no one to watch all the security cameras at all the firehouses. And they need a person at Lincolndale to do other unique tasks only Somers FD Dispatch does.

Another piece I've heard was that Somers dispatches on VHF and won't go UHF, and 60 Control doesn't have the compatible equipment nor invest in it.

Did they make 60 Control make all the preparations and do all the legwork neccesary, and then Somers told them "just kidding!"?

Does Somers FD EMD every caller?

So much drama. Is there anyone that can sort the fact from fiction?

[sympathomedic 383]

This contract was written like what, a decade ago? Probably renewed over time. Meanwhile we divested ourselves of the commissioner who wrote it. Now, with other commissioners in place, the mood has swung. I think (not sure) WEMS is now on a month-to-month, with no long term contract.

If it was put to bid, how many companies do you know of that would be interested in that kind of work around here?

If you were once a commissioner and get hired by a vendor you worked with, I doubt there is a law. It certainly fails the smell test, but on the scale of government corruption and back door deals it is barely a blip.

One of that commissioners pet projects was spending over $1 million on the SFD radio system with new consoles; towers, repeaters etc. That is why it may sound different.

The new voice you hear is probably his, since he was hired to supervise a system he never worked in.

Interesting note: When the BOFC first looked at going to 60, they found that the contract was worded in such a way that IF WEMS was fired as the dispatch provider, they still had to be permitted to remain in the firehouse and dispatch their own units.

[Viper 139]

Did they make 60 Control make all the preparations and do all the legwork neccesary, and then Somers told them "just kidding!"?

There are so many stories out there I don't know which one to believe. Very controversial topic.

[spin_the_wheel 460]

I would assume having 60 control dispatch is a free service correct?

Are Somers dispatch procedures that complicated, and the department that busy that they think 60 control could not handle it?

Or do they just like the "personal" service of having a dispatcher in quarters?

[Bnechis 3,961]

I would assume having 60 control dispatch is a free service correct?

Are Somers dispatch procedures that complicated, and the department that busy that they think 60 control could not handle it?

Or do they just like the "personal" service of having a dispatcher in quarters?

Actually the taxpayers of Somers already pay for it like everyone else, use it or not, its paid for with county taxes.

Its always about "control"

[billwiegelman 1]

the explanation I was given when I went to a commissioners meeting after they failed to show up at my house when I had a fire was that Somers has "special situations" that only their dispatchers can understand and handle..oh, and someone needs to be there to watch the security cameras

[Medibart 55]

Kind of amazed at the level of misinformation presented here. The basic facts are:

The Somers Fire District did originally end the WEMS dispatching contract as of 12/31/13. At their request, they extended the contract twice, currently slated to end 9/30/14. WEMS agreed to this for the benefit of the district and the town. This gives them the needed time to fully switch to 60-Control, which is the current plan. The plan for WEMS is to re-locate our dispatch center to our HQ where it can better be managed at the end of the current contract.

Prior to WEMS being contracted in 2002, SFD employed their own dispatchers. They felt rather than continue to manage staff, it would be beneficial to outsource for personnel. The staff is shared between the two services which saved SFD a considerable amount of money rather than having dedicated dispatchers. In addition to dispatching, the dispatchers provide a considerable number of services including monitoring security cameras for four stations with over a dozen pieces of equipment. They also help manage the LOSAP system, state reporting, and possibly most importantly they provide a 24 hour emergency presence in town, since there is no full time police department. This was well appreciated with the recent storms of the last few years.

The SFD continues to evaluate the costs and benefits of using their own dispatchers, with WEMS, or switching to 60-Control. There's really no "drama" or "controversy".

[x635 4,066]

Thank you Scott for the factual information presented on here. It is much appreciated. +1

[paratrooper75 41]

Nice to see a factual, non-biased, and non-opinionated answer. What a concept!

Kind of amazed at the level of misinformation presented here. The basic facts are:

The Somers Fire District did originally end the WEMS dispatching contract as of 12/31/13. At their request, they extended the contract twice, currently slated to end 9/30/14. WEMS agreed to this for the benefit of the district and the town. This gives them the needed time to fully switch to 60-Control, which is the current plan. The plan for WEMS is to re-locate our dispatch center to our HQ where it can better be managed at the end of the current contract.

Prior to WEMS being contracted in 2002, SFD employed their own dispatchers. They felt rather than continue to manage staff, it would be beneficial to outsource for personnel. The staff is shared between the two services which saved SFD a considerable amount of money rather than having dedicated dispatchers. In addition to dispatching, the dispatchers provide a considerable number of services including monitoring security cameras for four stations with over a dozen pieces of equipment. They also help manage the LOSAP system, state reporting, and possibly most importantly they provide a 24 hour emergency presence in town, since there is no full time police department. This was well appreciated with the recent storms of the last few years.

The SFD continues to evaluate the costs and benefits of using their own dispatchers, with WEMS, or switching to 60-Control. There's really no "drama" or "controversy".

[RWC130 594]

I was informed as of July 14, 2014 Somers FD/EMS will be dispatched by 60-Control.

[10512 214]

Medibart wrote:

" most importantly they provide a 24 hour emergency presence in town, since there is no full time police department"

Not trying to nitpick, and I know they are not Somers employees, but I would imagine the NYSP Police Barracks in Somers would constitute a 24 hour emergency presence, and unlike the dispatchers, can actually respond to a call for help.

Edited July 10, 2014 by 10512

[Jybehofd 85]

The barracks is nice but it's not manned. They have an emergency call box at the front door Unless you catch them at shift change or they have someone in being questioned there. Out side of that only the 7-11 and mobile gas station are manned 24/7

[10512 214]

The Barracks may not be manned, but the Troopers assigned to it are on Patrol in the area.

[99subi 121]

The barracks is nice but it's not manned. They have an emergency call box at the front door Unless you catch them at shift change or they have someone in being questioned there. Out side of that only the 7-11 and mobile gas station are manned 24/7

and the WEMS crew for somers FD. give those men some credit

[spike2231 38]

one thing see that doesnot make sense the dispatchers help with the losap how excactly do they do that and as far as a full time presence in town who sees them in a fire house answering phones

[spin_the_wheel 460]

As far as LOSAP........Don't know the type of recording system used for alarms as far as keeping track of attendance of membership, but they may have a system where the dispatcher controls how long after an alarm is secured that the logging system stays open.

They also most likely fill out the attendance records for each alarm as well as record the state report.

Edited July 12, 2014 by spin_the_wheel

[Ga-Lin 86]

one thing see that doesnot make sense the dispatchers help with the losap how excactly do they do that and as far as a full time presence in town who sees them in a fire house answering phones

I understand that over the years that WEMS has been dispatching there have been a number of emergency "walk-ins" which were handled by the "live" dispatchers, who are (or were when I remembered them) EMT's, until a crew arrives. Don't misunderstand, I'm in favor of a central dispatch system, but in a day & age of automated everything it is a nice touch knowing that there is actually a trained someone around the town 24/7. Edited July 12, 2014 by Ga-Lin

[Jybehofd 85]

The troopers are I'm the area at night but reduced the number of cars because they double up at night for obvious reason so it can take some time for a trooper to show up. Yes the WEMS crew is there along with the medic if not out on a call but not near the door or a phone so they will never know of someone is banging in the door