Regional Dispatch Center Prepares for First Calls

Members of the authority overseeing the consolidated dispatch center for St. Clair Shores, Roseville and Eastpointe confirmed Tuesday that it will begin operation next week.

The five-member Southeast Regional Emergency Services Authority met for the final time before the new consolidated dispatch begins receiving calls Monday from residents in St. Clair Shores.

"(Residents) should notice no difference in service or response time," said Benajmin Hughes, St. Clair Shores city manager. "(Residents) will still have St. Clair Shores police and fire."

The authority met Tuesday to discuss any final issues before the dispatch center begins receiving calls from residents and discuss the proposed $1.1 million budget.

St. Clair Shores will save $200,000 a year

The new consolidated call center will be based in Roseville and will be staffed by current dispatchers from St. Clair Shores and Roseville. The current dispatchers, and new hires have been trained to work on the new state-of-art equipment and respond to calls from residents from all three communities.

"St. Clair Shores residents can expect a minimum savings of $200,000 a year," Hughes said.

Having one call center for all three communities is the culmination of six years of discussions and negotiations between the cities. Eastpointe and Roseville will begin sending calls to the dispatch center on Dec. 29.

The concept is  generating interest from other neighboring communities. Hughes said two communities in Macomb County and four in Wayne County have inquired about joining the authority and using the dispatch services. He declined to name the communities.

"This is the wave of the future," said Cherie Bartram, executive director of the authority.

Starting Monday, dispatch calls from St. Clair Shores will go to the consolidated dispatch center. To reach the dispatch center, residents can call (586) 777-6700. The police department general number, (586) 445-5300, will still work.