St Paul to Enter New Emergency Services Dispatch Agreement

Dispatch services to cost Town $1.10 per capita/annually

After noticing a number of inefficiencies with the Town of St Paul’s current Peace Officer Dispatch service, Director of Protective Services, Trevor Kotowich, approached Town of St Paul Mayor and Council at Monday’s regular Council Meeting to propose a new agreement. Kotowich recommended to Council that the St Paul Municipal Enforcement enter a 1-year agreement with the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) to provide Community Peace Officer Dispatch Services to the Town of St Paul.

“My biggest concern, is that I feel if somebody calls our complaint line, they should be able to talk to a live person 24/7,” Kotowich says that often times, especially after hours or on weekend, people must leave a message on voicemail. Depending on shifts, it can take several days for the message to be returned and an issue addressed.

“If we go to [the proposed] model we are assured that [there will be a live dispatcher]; because we’re forwarding our line [to Bonnyville].” Kotowich explains that the phone can be set to ring in St Paul and after a certain number of rings it’ll automatically be forwarded to BRFA dispatch, where a live person will assist the caller. The dispatcher would be able to recognize the call came from St Paul and answer ‘St Paul Municipal Enforcement’. “Depending on the type and severity of the call, the dispatcher could then take the information and contact the officer or let the complainant know that no one is available.”

“They’ll have our schedule and know when the staff is on,” Kotowich explains that he’s received a number of complaints that people will leave a message on a Friday night and without weekend staff the call isn’t return until Monday; at which time people can be upset. “If they are informed on Friday that the person who deals with the unsightly property or the dog complaints isn’t in until Monday or that they can contact the RCMP, I think we can keep citizens all happier.”

Town of St. Paul Council has voted to enter an agreement with BRFA that dispatch services be provided to the Community Peace Officers at the cost of $1.10 per capita/annually for a 1-year contract.