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Canfield police outline switch to state dispatch system, report cost savings and life‑saving response
Summary
Police Chief Colucci told council the county has voted to move to the state MARCS dispatch system, which the chief said will lower recurring radio fees and should reduce dispatch costs for Canfield; he also highlighted a recent life‑saving response by two officers and praised the city’s dispatch capability.
Canfield Police Chief Colucci updated the City Council on Feb. 11 about a county decision to transition dispatch services to the state MARCS system and described what that change means for the city’s operations and costs.
Colucci said the county’s vote to adopt the state system (MARCS) will largely not change Canfield’s day‑to‑day dispatch operations but will reduce certain recurring fees: "From our financial side, it's gonna save us money... the radio fees are gonna be less. I think it's going from somewhere around $13 to $5 each for us," he said.
The chief said Canfield’s radios are already compliant with the MARCS standards after a prior purchase paid for by a loan that has been repaid, so the city expects little or no equipment cost for compatibility. He also said the county and state highway patrol have long worked on MARCS and that the platform helps multiagency communications in large incidents.
On operational posture and partnerships, Colucci said Canfield built its dispatch center to allow possible expansion and that any decision to add outside dispatch clients would be made with priority to Canfield’s service: "...before we do anything, the number 1 priority is what it's always been Canfield and it'll continue to be Canfield."
Life‑saving award and emergency medical dispatch: Colucci described a September incident for which two Canfield officers received life‑saving awards from the American Legion. He described coordinated CPR and AED use: "Kyle and Aaron immediately jumped in and were able to ultimately get back a pulse... it gave her a chance of life." He also credited the city’s emergency medical dispatch protocols, which instruct dispatchers what to ask callers and which life‑saving measures to guide until responders arrive.
Public praise and community response: A resident in attendance described calling dispatch about a dangerous driver and said officers intercepted the vehicle quickly; the resident thanked dispatch staff and officers for a fast response. Colucci and councilmembers commended dispatch and public safety staff for their work.
Ending: The chief recommended continued collaboration with county partners on the MARCS transition, noting expected cost savings and the importance of maintaining current service levels for Canfield residents.
