Lisbon Police Department ‘A Community Policing Agency SSS eeSeSeSFSFSFSeFfFfh David T. Brooks Chief of Police April 10, 2015, Sheriff Eric G. Samson ‘Androscoggin County Sheriff's Department 2 Turner St. ‘Auburn, ME 04210 Sheriff Samson, I received your response to my letter inquiring about the Androscoggin County Communication Center's capability within ts current infrastructure, to provide dispatching service that the Lisbon ComCenter currently provides for the Town of Lisbon. As you know, | have some history over the past ten or so ‘years on the topic of public safety communications consolidation in our county. With that background ‘and knowledge base, | know that it is not as simple a task to accomplish as some may think; however ‘yes, it can be accomplished in time with the correct planning, cooperation and budgeting. \’mm troubled by your response regarding the ACC's capability that states in part, “specific to infrastructure there would only be minor internal adjustments.” That statement leads to numerous ‘questions, all of which will have a cost attached to them. However, those questions can be addressed another time. ‘After I sent my letter to you, | had the opportunity to speak with Dave Cobb of Dirigo Wireless. He was dropping off some radio accessories that had been ordered. He and his partner Mark are Lisbon's radio service technicians, as well as Androscoggin County's. They installed both Lisbon’s and Androscoggin’s ‘current communication consoles, and Dave Is undoubtedly the most knowledgeable individual to speak to regarding our respective radio communications infrastructure capabilities. | posed the question to him, “ls the Androscoggin ComCenter’s current communications infrastructure capable of taking on Lishon’s needs?" His response was, “No”. He did indicate to me that Androscoggin’s consoles have the capability to add channels; however the external radio communications infrastructure necessary for those additional frequencies is not in place. He mentioned the need for control stations; he questioned the ability to add a tower, and/or antennas to the county building's oof, or if there is capability to add antennas to the county's off site tower, which neads to be studied, Then the topic of frequency interference, etc. would require additional study and time, as well as having to develop cost estimates "Tek: 207-353-2500 # Fax: 207-353-3006Lisbon Police Department A Community Policing Agency 800 Lisbon St. David T. Brooks ‘Lisbon, ME 04250 Chief of Police. along with the need for FCC relicensing, which takes months to finalize. He went on to talk about studying other options for connectivity to Lisbon's control stations via other methods, again, all having costs associated with them, not to mention the cost of the study. He raised many questions and concerns and all are unanswered. But back to the initial question, “Is Androscoggin’s ComCenter’s current communication infrastructure capable of taking on Lisbon’s needs?” The answer was, “No”. After receiving your letter | contacted Dave Cobb, and before informing him of your response to my inquiry, | asked if you or someone from your staff had contacted either him or his counterpart Mark, he told me that no one from Androscoggin County had spoken to either of them on this topic. In short, he {end 1) have concerns with your response and his first question was; what is “minor internal adjustment”? Radio communications infrastructure is a much larger topic beyond consoles. It wll take time, studying, planning and budgeting by a professional communication specialist such as Dirigo Wireless for 2 consolidation to be accomplished. | know that you realize that too with Androscoggin S.O's experience with Dirigo Wireless, fixing and improving your own radio communication capability across the county. ‘That is the example of their knowledge in this complex arena of radio communications and thelr ability to get it done. Dirigo Wireless’ knowledge and reputation is well embedded not only here in ‘Androscoggin County, but in Cumberland and York counties as well. For the Androscoggin ComCenter to take on the specific needs of the Lisbon ComCenter, it will take far ‘more than simply minor internal adjustments. Beyond radio communications is another important topic, probably the highest of concern is records management capabilities and the costs associated with that transition. Software and hardware costs are substantial. There are more infrastructure needs that haven't been highlighted here but again, topics for another time. ‘One area you did address will be the likely need to add personnel to the ACCC. Lisbon’s “calls for service” numbers, if added to the ACCC will add a significant increase to your current CFS. That increase in workload will undoubtedly result in the need for additional personnel coverage. What will that entail, and what would be the additional cost in personnel, are other questions to address. “There isa lot that has to be studied and planned for. However, as | have indicated above, yes it can be done but it will take time to get it accomplished if that is the direction of our future. fe Enna ‘Tek 207-358-2500 @ Fax: 207-853-3006Lisbon Police Department A Community Policing Agency 300 Lisbon St. David T. Brooks Lisbon, ME 04250 Chief of Potice | too, will be glad to meet with you and discuss this in more detail. Sitting and talking with one another is a far better communications method than writing letters back and forth to one another. ‘Take care. Respectfully, David T. Brooks Chief of Police cc: Diane Barnes, Town Manager Dirigo Wireless ‘Tel: 207-353-2500 © Fax: 207-858-8006