Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Dispatch topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public Safety communications task force nears public release of dispatch inventory; design report open for feedback
Summary
Commissioner Jennifer Morrison updated the Senate Committee on Institutions that the Public Safety Communications Task Force has completed an inventory of 37 dispatch centers, is close to publishing a redacted inventory report, and has released a draft system design by Mission Critical Partners for public feedback.
Commissioner Jennifer Morrison told the Senate Committee on Institutions on March 25 that the Public Safety Communications Task Force has completed an inventory of the state’s dispatch centers and is preparing to publish a redacted inventory report.
Morrison, who co‑chairs the task force, said consultants visited all 37 dispatch centers that provide service within Vermont and compiled an inventory of equipment and assets. “We have the inventory report done. It is almost ready to be released publicly because as you can imagine, we had to do some pretty heavy redactions on the inventory report,” she said.
The task force also has a draft system design produced by Mission Critical Partners, a contracted subject‑matter firm; Morrison said that draft design was released about three weeks before the committee meeting for public consumption and feedback. The task force has held three town halls for first responders and elected officials, two public feedback sessions, and has an online fillable form and email address for comments. Morrison said the task force was planning to accept feedback through “this Friday” but that the task force would discuss extending the comment period to allow more submissions.
Morrison emphasized the task force’s public process and said she has been careful not to pre‑judge outcomes: the consultants have led data collection and the group is seeking community input before proposing changes. She invited senators and other officials to review materials posted on the Department of Public Safety website under the Public Safety Communications Task Force page and to submit feedback.
Morrison and senators also discussed how some field stations, including Westminster and Williston, host the public safety answering points that the Vermont State Police operate and therefore have larger footprints to accommodate extra staff and partner agencies.
Next steps: the task force will consider extending the public comment period at an upcoming meeting, and the department will post the inventory report and related materials once redactions and public‑records review are complete.
