09/24/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Obie asked who would answer the calls on the 911 system. Mr. Packard responded that they would be answered by a telephone operator or a complaint e taker. The calls would then be dispatched by radio. This will mean no change in dispatching of calls for Eugene police or fire services. He hopes the system can be improved in the future. Mr. Obie asked who would answer a call from Junction City. Mr. Packard stated that this call would come to Eugene and then be transferred to the sheriff for dispatch. They now receive approximately 300,000 calls per year, and this will probably increase by about 100,000 calls by including the unincorporated areas. A central-central system would increase the calls by 300 percent. Mr. Obie asked if the only services available would be police, fire, and amb u lance. Mr. Packard responded that that is correct. Ev Hall, Fire, stated that fire services in the county support the plan presented by Mr. Henry. Eugene Fire Department takes calls for seven jurisdictions besides Eugene at this time. They handle six contract districts, including River Road. Another receiving area has been the only area of disagreement. Incoming calls would be received by the Police Department and if they were indicated to be fire calls, they would be immediately transferred to the Fire Department. Ms. Smith asked if it were a medical emergency if both fire and ambulance services would be di spatched. Mr. Hall responded that they would. Galen Howard, L-COG, stated that this area is fortunate in its existing level of cooperation. He feels the decentral-decentral system is a good alternative working toward a central-central system. Operating procedures will have to be developed before a central-central system can be imple- mented. There are now over 100 dispatchers. By centralizing, that level e can be reduced. Mr. Haws noted that in the L-COG report, Yachats is mentioned. He is concerned about who will pay for services to this area since it is not a part of Lane County. Mr. Howard stated that revenue can only be used in the area providing the service. The Yachats telephone exchange extends into Lane County and it has not been decided what will happen there. The equipment will have to be upgraded before they can participate. If an area is not served by the service, the additional phone tax will not be implemented. Mr. Haws asked if Eugene is serving areas outside the city limits, what would prevent the cost from being greater than the income. He asked what guarantee there would be that the City would not have to pay the rest of the cost. Mr. Howard stated that the tax will be sufficient to provide 911 service at this time, but the county ordinance could be amended. As Pacific Northwest Bell rates go up, so will revenues. Mr. Haws asked if the City cou 1 d get stuck payi ng for the service the City provides to areas in the county. Mr. Henry noted that this could exist in our current situation. The City system must be upgraded. Any cost overruns for 911 are just as likely to occur within the city as outside it. He does not see the addition of these unincor- porated areas as being a big factor in the total costs. Mr. Haws asked if the city would have authority to increase the tax reserve or stop the service for unincorporated areas. Mr. Henry responded that the County -- 9/24/80--6