Regional 9‑1‑1 director: $14 million state grant secured; MRCC on track for 2026 go‑live contingent on building work

Erin Hastings, executive director of the Middlesex Regional Emergency Communications Center (MRCC), told the Framingham City Council on June 17 that the center has completed major administrative and planning steps and is on track to go live in mid‑2026, contingent on building readiness.

Key items: Hastings said the MRCC secured a $14,000,000 State 9‑1‑1 development grant, has finalized key administrative setup (EIN, tax‑exempt status, banking and payroll systems), established a .gov domain and begun hiring and benefits setup. The district is finalizing retirement and health benefit arrangements so staff can transition to district employment in early 2026; Hastings said grant funding will cover salaries during the startup phase.

Partnerships and staffing: The director said Wayland is in final stages of joining the district; a deputy director has been hired (the deputy will be an employee of Natick while the district finalizes transition arrangements). MRCC staff are drafting operational policies, training and quality improvement programs and assessing radio, hardware and software compatibility across participating communities.

Timing and contingencies: Hastings said the center is targeting a go‑live in July 2026 but that the date depends on availability of the renovated building and funding approvals. The director said much of the behind‑the‑scenes work (legal, finance, payroll, procurement and training programs) must be completed before call handling begins.

Council response: Councilors welcomed the update and asked follow‑up questions about building status, equipment procurement and transition timing; Hastings said demolition is complete, reconstruction bids are out through Framingham and equipment orders are tied to the construction schedule.