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Home My WebLink About790537.tiff 4tj • THE TOWF LA SLLE `�' P. O. BOX 717 / 4, 119 MAIN STREET S LA SALLE, COLORADO 80645 �•.' PHONE : 284-6564 December 12 , 1979 • Weld County Commissioners 915 10th Street Greeley, CO 80631 Dear Commissioners : RE: Weld County Communication Center The recommendation of Augustine and Associates to change the control of the communications system was discussed by the Town Council on December 11th, 1979 . We are opposed to placing the control of the system under the command of the Sheriff ' s office for three reasons : 1 ) When the original plan was presented to the Town of LaSalle we were led to believe this was a cooperative venture with Weld County and the municipalities who wished to enter into it in conjunction with Weld County. It was also presented, as stated in the original grant , that it would remain a consolidated part of the County government with no ties to any one agency. LaSalle was one of those towns who wholeheartedly accepted this proposal . 2 ) We support the method now used for control and supervision of the Weld County Communication System. This gives all users a voice in how the system is governed and controlled. We wish to see it remain unbiased in its controlling supervisors . We feel it cannot remain unbiased if placed under the control of one elected official . We recommend it remain under the direct control of the communications board and the County Commissioners . 3) We wish to see the system remain out of politics. There is no place for a communication system whose primary functions are the lives and property of Weld County citizens in the political arena. 005 Respectfully, pc n r'ViWel C9M' w p k ��Z/� 0LCx k 9j9 N.L. RutzLi Town Clerk 790537 Al nP 9L/n /1 rtv-rnl1 i lila Tar OF 223 1st STREET EATON,COLORADO 80615 AIIIIIIIIIIIL PHONE 454-2876 EMON Mir December 11, 1979 Weld County Board of Commissioners Centennial Building Greeley, Colorado 80631 Attn: Mr. Norman Carlson, Chairman Dear Norm, We have been informed that the Weld County Sheriff's Department has requested that the County Communications Center be brought under their jurisdiction. Frankly, we believe this would not be in the best interest of the rural fire protection districts and police departments and we unanimously agree that the Communication Center continue to operate as it has with an independent governing board. We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter. Sincerely, Eaton Town Board _ '04 Metzt4.— H. P. Christensen Mayor .a_._. ,,.,,..-+;,c_,a -...n,1, 10 C* C!. t. C \\\ O e . � \• yc>I �_.. - :fir S� REGULAR MEETING SECOND MONDAY OF EACH MONTH tAteca0onacce 14'9,0 Dacono Area Fire Protection District December 10, 1979 Al l� Board of County Commissioners Weld County Colorado Mr. Chairman & Members of the Board; This letter to you is in regards to the survey just completed by Augustine Associates, as per the operations of the Weld County Communications Center. AB all the charts indicate, there could be some savings to the county by the consolidation of the dispatch proceedures now being operated in the county. These charts all show the savings that may be obtained by giving the operations of the system to the control of the Weld County Sheriff, but no charts to show the savings if all the operatinns were left in the center and left under the direction of the personnel as it now is. As stated by the representative of Augustine, this is bec- ause the survey of the communications was done at the request of the Sheriff's office. I believe the savings can be just as great or greater if left as it is in die venter, under the director as it now is. I believe many items have not been taken into consideration by the survey and the representative of Augustine, was the first to admit that he did not delve into many aspects of the center, ONLY the cost savings if it were put into the Sheriffs control. First of all of course is the committment of the original formation of the system, that it would not be controlled by one agency. This committment, although legally, maybe not any longer valid is nevertheless, a committment of the county commissioners, that ultimately let to the necessary number of persons joining the system to qualify for the initial federal grant to start the whole thing. Had the committment not been a part of the package, I can guarantee you some of the users would not have declared their intent to use the system. Secondly, we are all guilty of trying. to place dollar values on an emergency service. What value do we place on a life that may be lost or personnel property destroyed due to a less effective system. I am not trying to say anyone has intent of doing anything less than honor- able in regards to the control of the center, Howerer, I have worked under three systems that did communications for a variety of emergency service groups, and in all three systems the intent was above reproach, however, in each there is always a responsibility to the parent or controlling organization in an emergency. This causes loss of capabilities and de-values the congeniality of the system. In turn it has in every instance caused each user to begin to turn to more and more self supported communications and other equipment. This proceedure can bring on a far larger cost factor than any of the savings we have been shown in the surveys. cont: DACONO, COLORADO 80514 cunt: 2. These cost's while not showing on. .the budget of county government for operation of the communications center, will be paid by the same persons on the cost of oper- ations for the local entities. In reality the savings to the taxpayer is gone and the cost will most likely increase. Only difference is the local entity will be the guilty party of cost increase. There are numerous other items to consider, that were not taken into considera- tion by the survey, such as the quality of service received by the users and the population for which they are responsible. There is always the possibility of cost overrun in the individual department who may control such a system and then there becomes the need to charge for certain types of services. There is the approach that the entire taxpaying population of the county was to be taxed to support a county wide dispatch service which would be available to everyone on an equal and un-biased basis. Those who may begin to feel the lack of equal availability or those who may have to be charged extra will in effect be paying twice for the service they receive. Also there is and always will be the priority of calls problem when the system is controlled by any one agency, regardless of who this agency is, and in this type of atmosphere calls will become delayed and this can cost a life or numerous dollars worth of property. This problem is never the intent of any agency who may be given the responsibility of the system, but is always a present and un-controllable side effect, which inadvertently leads to misgivings and the split of co-operation, and then the emergency network deteriorates to an un-workable, undesirable network of individual operations, which must be rebuilt at great expense to all concerned. We should probably go farther back in the survey and look at the amount of expense, time and expertise that has gone into making this communications system what it is today, and what is the loss value to scrap this concept and start over. I might add that speaking as a fire chief who has worked under three different systems in the past that this county now has the most workable, co-operative type of system I have had the opportunity to serve under. Here the center is responsible to all users on an equal basis and all users have a voice or input into the center. To let this system be changed in any manner would be a dis-service to every tax-payer and user of the county. I feel that the commissioners of Weld County Colorado, need to be aware of the professional method of operation of this system as it now stands and it's capabilities and ease and efficiency of handling any emergency that requires more than one or two response agencies. We have had a few of these hazardous situations in our area of the county and the center handled all requests promptly, efficiently and quickly due to the fact they only are charged with the communications of the moment and have no on scene responsibilities. This will not be true under any one agencies control of communications. As far as total dollars saved, I doubt that anyone can tell what will be the final figure as the numerous facts involved are impossible to contemplate for the future. For instance our calls are nearly doubling eaoh year, and the type of calls in many cases is becoming more hazardous or complicated, which requires more mutual aid usage of equipment from other agencies, and this requires open communications. cont: page 3 If we were to in any way retard this mutual aid and communications system, my department and I am sure most departments will have to look at untold dollars of investment in' various pieces of equipment to become more self sufficient. As it now stands many departments can pool resources and equipment and the cost of the total capabilities to the county and it's occupants is far less, and the value of service is far greater. If we are to try to measure this in dollars, the cost to any one department in the fire service will greatly outnumber the savings we have been told we can expect from this survey which has been done. Finally, I urge each and every one of you as county commissioners of Weld County, elected to serve and protect all the people of the county equally, to search very deeply, before you make any decision that may hamper the value of service this county now has to offer. We of Weld County Colorado, now have one the finest communications systems in the entire country and are receiving expellent and professional services on a non—partial basis. Very few agencies in the country will say the same for other systems now in operation. I ask of you to make dedicated and careful decisions, and at the same time I feel time is of the essence. We have allowed many persons and groups of the county to become very unhappy with the possibility of any change or changes they feel may adversly affect them. Morale of all persons involved has to be affected by this ongoing discussion. Respectfully I ask each of you to decide to retain the system under the control of the director of communications and the advisory board wade up of the users as it now is and let us progress in the future as we have in the past. This will ultimately lead to a more cost effective and productive system than any alternative 1 have been shown. This letter is written to you as county commissioners j by me strictly as Fire Chief of Dacono Fire District, and a user of the system fist) individual from my position as a member of the Advisory Board of the Weld County Communications System. R ctfully lj(fs oe W. Fuss Fire Chief Dacono Area Five Prot. Dist. Dacono, Colorado 80514 `'te Dacono Area Fire Protection District December 6, 1979 Weld County Commissioners Centennial Building Greeley, Colorado Sirs: We, the members of the Board of Directors of the Dacono Area Fire Protection District, of Dacono, Colorado, and a user member of the Weld County Communications network wish to express our concern over the proposals of the Augustine Associates recommendations for some changes in the operation of the system. We feel that from all reports received from our fire chief that the system is presently a valuable tool for all the emergency personnel in the county who are called at many times to work not only on their own, but also in harmony with other emergency departments in the county. Without the operations of the center in the area of mutual communications, this would be severly hampered. Our chief was very involved in the initial planning and meetings on the poss- ibilities of the center, and county wide communications. This fire district was at the time a fire department of the town of Dacono, Colorado, and at his urging we agreed to support the concept of the county wide communications system, both as a definite savings in cost to'the people of the town of Dacono, and the entire county, as well as the fact it appeared to be the only way the entire county would be able to have a compatable communications system. We were given assurances that the system would be operated by a person or persons employed by thecounty and directed by an advisory group or board made up of useRSof the network. It was only with this understanding that the system would be for the benefit of and controlled by the, users of it,that we agreed to drop our system and all plans for the future and proceed to purchase the needed equipment and become a member of the network. We would not have considered ever becoming a part of a system directed and controlled by any one agency. We definitely do not feel the needs of all would be given equal attention under this type of operation. We the Board of Directors wish to express our deep concern at any proposed changes to what is now a very fine system, and pledge our continued support for the Weld County Communications System as it now operates. We Sincerely believe the Weld County Commissioners gave us a committment to maintain this system as it is and we should have their continued support of this committment. Thank d of Directors DACONO, COLORADO afro Area Fire Prot. Dist. Dacono Area Fire Protection District December 6, 1979 Al WELD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS GREELEY, COLORADO Weld County Commissioners; A meeting of the users of fire channels A and B of the Weld County Communic- ations system was held in the LaSalle Fire Station on this date to discuss the operations and proceedures of the Weld County Communications Center and the survey and recommendations of the Augustine survey. By unanimous vote of the member users present, we feel very strongly that for the continued harminony and strong mutual relationships of all fire departments in Weld County, Colorado in their ability to work together in the many emergencies that we be called upon to handle, the Weld County Communications Center must remain the same in the future as it has been in the past, under the direction of an un- biased director employed by the county and with guidance of the Advisory Board as set up in the original proceedures. We, the users of the fire frequencies of the Wild County Communications system further wish to state our feelings that to allow the system to become controlled by any one member or user will severly limit the input of all users of the system and will in turn decay the value of the system and the service to the publio of Weld County, Colorado. We further wish to state that we feel this communications system under it's present system of direction and operation is one of the finest systems in the area and is ever growing and progressing in capabilities and quality. Those in attendance at this meeting were the chiefs and representatives of; Dacono Fire Prot. Dist LaSalle Fire Department Eaton Fire Department Milliken Sta. 1 Fire Dept Evans Fire Department Milliken Sta. 2 Fire Dept Gilcrest Fire Department S. E. Weld Fire Prot. Dist. Johnstown Fire Department Western Hills Fire District Kersey Fire Department Windsor Fire Department R EC era). ki-tc. Joseph W. Fuss Fire Chief Dacono, Colorado DACONO, COLORADO 80514 • 50,1010/ c6LCPP64 Colorado BOX 8, GILCREST, COLORADO 80828 HEART OF THE EARLY POTATO DISTRICT December 3, 197, Chief Dale Earvy Comm. Liaison officer Greely Communications Chief Dale Marvy, at this time, I am submitting this letter in referance to the Weld County Communications system as it exibts I feel that the system is in approval as is. If it watld be any changes, I would submitt to have the Weld County Sheriff tele-a-type computor system be moved next to the dispatch communications system. We have had numerious of problems in the pass, some have been adjusted for better communications, some have mistreaded the systeab;;by their own-self ignorance or power. Res ect ully, Joseph Padilla Chief of Police Gilcrest, Colo. ao62Y • JP/ AA ., _ .. Platteville Police Department CHIEF .r • ( :::::::} 411 Goodrich`lM\RSH!` PLATTEVILLE, COLOR/IDO A06511 (1 • Chief Dale Harvy 7 Dec,1979 Comm. Liaison Officer Greeley Communications Dear Chief Harvy, In refrance td the communication syston with in Weld, I am submitting this letter to you as to the feallings of this dept, and the officers of Platteville, We are in a greement to the moving of the tele—a—type computer system that if at all poeeible the computer should be moved to the dispatch station, If not possible than the systom should remain as is. It is of the opinon of this office that we have numerious problems in the pass, some have been adjusted for better comummations, some have miss- treaded the system by their own- self ignorance or power. The moving of the sheriffs tele-a- type to the dispatch communication wo UID cut down time required to run the checks on wanted people, stolen cars, lic, checks. If the tele-a-type can not bemoved than the system should remane as is. Thank you for your time and hope to be able to work with you in this matter. Re e tfu y, l4` 1 Chie Police Platt ville, Co.80651 ry/ Q Western Hills Fire Protection District 1804 CHERRY AVENUE GREELEY,COLORADO 60631 - (303)356-1424 December 11 , 1979 Board of Weld County Commissioners Centennial Center 915 10th. Street Greeley, Colorado 80631 Dear Commissioners, At our Board of Director's meeting held December 10, 1979, the Director's present, unanimously support Chief Bailey and the fire depallment in their stance taken, to ensure that the Weld County Communications Center remain under its present structure as originally conceived. Our district is not In a position financially to with-stand the enormous out-lay of cash, which would be necessary to re-establibh a dispatch center, or convert the radio equipment we now have, to fit within a new system. Please consider our position as Director's when determining whether the Communications Center should function under the presently effective direction of the Communications Advisory Board, opposed to the guidance of one individual or agency. Sincerely, �t4.),,:an Eug B. Bonkiewicz Secre ry/Treasurer Western Hills Fire Protection District TOWNpp OF DACONO DACOND? atchaDD B0514 December 11, 1979 Weld County Commissioners Centennial Building Greeley, CO 80631 Dear County Commissioners WE, the members of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Dacono Colorado, and a member of the Weld County Communications network, wish to express our concern over the proposals the Augustine Associates recommended for some changes in the operation of the system. We feel that from all reports received from our Police Chief that the system is presently a valuable tool for all emergency personnel and law enforcement agencies in the county who are called at many times to work not only on their own, but also in harmony with other departments in the county. Without the operations of the center in the area of mutual com- munications, this would be severly hampered. On the inital setup of the communications system, we were given assurances that the system would be operated by a person or persons employed by the county and directed by an advisory group or board made up of users of the network. It was only with this understanding the town agreed to drop our system and all plans for the future and proceed to purchase the need- ed equipment and become a member of the network. We would not have considered ever becoming a part of a system directed and controlled by any one agency. We definitely do not feel the needs of all would be given equal attention under this type of operation. We the Board of Trustees of the Town of Dacono wish to express our deep concern at any proposed changes to what is now a very fine system, and pledge our continued support for the Weld County Communications Systems as it now operates. We sincerely believe the Weld County Commissioners gave us a committment to maintain this system as it is and we should have their continued support of this committment. Sincerely Clififiton T Elliott Mayor, Town of Dacono Board of Trustees cc file mEmORAnDUm Alm IO To Bud Reynolds, Communications Date December 1 , 1979 ' COLORADO From Jerry Wones, Director, W.C.A.S. Subject: As we discussed with you and the County Commissioners, the Weld County Ambulance Service is pleased with the dispatch and communications services provided by your department. While you have faced a multitude of problems with high turnover and the demands of many users, we have been pleased with the cooperation and assistance given the ambulance crews. We think it particularly important that an independent communications center be continued for Weld County. It is the only way to insure that the many needs of the all the various users will be treated equally. Trying to coordinate the dispatch and communications functions for primary emergency responders is difficult at best and we would not like to lose all of the progress made to date. (YIN l9 Cti , 19 December 3, 1979 \ (O lt Commissioner Leonard Roe Board of County Commissioners Centennial Center 915 10th Street Greeley, Colorado 80631 Dear Sir: At a meeting of the Weld County Chief ' s of Police Association, held October 28, 1979, the various proposals concerning the Weld County Communications Center were discussed at length. After the discussion it was the unanimous opinion of those present that the original concepts of the Weld County Communi- cations system are as valid today as when they were conceived and that furthermore, this concept as it exists is in the best interest of the citizens and user agencies of Weld County. This association strongly opposes any change in these concepts which would place Weld County Communications Center under the direction of any one user agency. The center as it exists , under the best democratic traditions, allows for all who use and are served by it , the necessary input to assure effective, fair and impartial service . As we see it , the real problem is the extra expense necessary to maintain the system due to the location of the computer terminal. We, the Weld County Chief' s of Police Association , therefore respectfully recommend that the Weld County Commis- sioners take whatever action necessary to allow the computer terminal to be relocated in the Weld County Communications Center. In the event that for some reason this can not be accomplished, it is our desire that the system remain as is. Respectfully ours , James H. Burns , President Weld County Chief's of Police Association JHB/cm December 11, 1979 Weld County Commissioners: The members of the LaSalle Volunteer Fire Department at their regularly scheduled meeting voted unanimously to support the Weld County Communication Advisory Board as it exists today. After much discussion, the Department doesn't feel that complete control of the Communication Center by the Weld County Sheriff Department would in any way improve the dispatching of our Fire Department. We, therefore, request that Weld County Commissioners would also vote in support of the Communication Center being controlled by the Weld County Communication Advisory Board. Respectfully submitted, -44.47 Terry E. Stencel Secretary LaSalle Volunteer Fire Department -: ' LaSalle Fire Department Phone: (303) 284-6336 P.O. Box 264 LaSalle,Colorado 80645 7/ rat_ bv, , (._ . . ,/ , & ,dzia,,,, // ).O(.4 Lc:/ / ,,,,,,,...,, , 4.e-F Q (,..1.. Hello