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Committee explores temporary backup 9‑1‑1 center at Auburn Fire Department; training shortfall flagged
Summary
County staff proposed using Auburn Fire Department space as a temporary 'plug‑and‑play' backup for 9‑1‑1 operations but said the county must buy additional equipment. Staff also warned a $5,000 training line will not meet the 21‑hour in‑service mandate set by the 9‑1‑1 board.
Cayuga County staff told the Health & Human Services committee on Dec. 3 they are exploring a short‑term plan to use space at the Auburn Fire Department as a backup 9‑1‑1 center that would allow staff to "plug-and-play" and resume dispatch operations quickly in an emergency.
The presenter said the fire department could provide a secure room and basic connectivity but the county must purchase its own equipment — two additional laptops, monitors and phone positions — because current backup capability relies on borrowed equipment from other counties. "We need 2 additional phone laptops so that we have 4 phone positions," the presenter said, adding that the site "won't be apples to apples" with a permanent backup center but would be much more functional than the current makeshift setup.
Separately, staff warned the committee that the county's remaining training budget (reported as $5,000 remaining in a line) will not cover the 21 hours of mandatory in‑service training required by the 9‑1‑1 Board under New York State. As an example, the presenter said a recent suicide‑prevention training cost $295 per person and totaled about $65,100 for a multi‑county session, indicating the current line would not cover required sessions.
Committee members asked staff to bring back precise cost estimates and proposed terms for any agreement with the city or fire department, including whether space would be charged for and the legal terms required; the chair requested an update in January after staff consult with the city manager and county counsel.
Next steps: staff to negotiate terms with the city/fire department, develop equipment cost estimates, and return to the committee in January with a recommended temporary operating plan and associated budget needs.
