Your Voice and Vote Matter: Attend Wednesday's Town Hall and Vote YES for a Safer Easton

At 7pm on Wednesday night at Samuel Staples Elementary School, Easton residents will vote on whether our town should transition its 911 dispatch services from a single dispatcher located at the Easton Police Department to the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center (FCRD). After extensive study, independent consultation, and unanimous agreement among Easton’s emergency services leadership, this transition is not only the safest option but also the most cost-effective and forward-thinking path for our town.

Please see below for Frequently Asked Questions: Transitioning the 9-1-1 Dispatch to Fairfield County Regional Dispatch (FCRD)

1. Why is Easton considering moving its 911 dispatch to Fairfield County Regional Dispatch (FCRD)?
   Because our current single-dispatcher model is no longer consistent with national safety best practices. Independent consultants from Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI) identified significant risks: a single dispatcher can be overwhelmed during critical incidents, distracted by walk-ins, or unable to manage multiple simultaneous emergencies.
   
   Every emergency services department in Easton (Police, Fire, EMS) agrees that improvements are needed, particularly in safety, staffing, and technology.
   
2. Is something wrong with our current dispatchers?
   Our full-time staff does a great job with the resources they have. The concerns are structural, not personal. The current system relies on part-time staff which, at times, has led to lackluster service. In addition, the one-dispatcher model itself is outdated. With the transition to FCRD, we can equip our dispatchers (and our first responders) with modern technology, staffing depth, and the safety infrastructure Easton can’t afford to build and maintain alone. The transition moves us from a one-person operation to a center staffed with 6–10 trained dispatchers per shift.
   
3. How does this improve public safety?
   FCRD provides major safety advantages, including:
   - Multiple dispatchers 24/7, eliminating the risks of single-dispatch operations
   - Faster handling of complex or multi-agency responses
   - Advanced technology, including NEXGEN CAD, real-time GPS mapping, Emergency Medical Dispatch, and improved mutual aid coordination
   - Better quality control and supervision, including a full-time center director and supervisor
   
   This translates to quicker, more accurate responses when seconds matter.
   
4. Will calling 911 feel different to Easton residents?
   No. When residents dial 911, the call will simply route to FCRD instead of Easton Police Department. Dispatchers will send Easton police, fire, or EMS exactly as today. The experience for residents will be unchanged.
   
5. How will FCRD dispatchers know Easton?
   FCRD uses:
   - State-of-the-art GIS and mapping systems with precise caller location information
   -Dedicated geo-familiarization and training with Easton responders
   - Standardized questioning and information-gathering protocols proven to outperform “local memory” alone
   
6. What about walk-ins at the Easton Police Department?
   During Normal business hours: Walk-up service will continue almost exactly as today, staffed by part-time personnel.
   After hours: A new secure lobby will provide safe access to emergency services, including:
   - Video intercom directly to a live FCRD dispatcher
   - Controlled-entry secure vestibule
   - Expanded camera coverage & upgraded building security
   - Residents will have more secure after-hours access than the current setup provides.
   
   
7. What happens when people call the Easton Police non-emergency line (203-268-4111)?
   When people call 203-268-4111, the call will still be answered 24/7 by a live person. During normal business hours, this may be answered by front desk staff at the Easton Police Department. After hours, the call will automatically route to the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center, where trained dispatchers will assist, provide information, or dispatch Easton officers if needed. This ensures uninterrupted service and immediate support at all times.
   
8. Is this transition cost-effective?
   Yes — significantly.
   
   Annual Operating Cost Comparison
   - Current Easton 911 operating cost: ≈ $490,000
   - Projected annual cost under FCRD: ≈ $381,190
   - Annual savings to Easton Taxpayers: ≈ $108,810
   
   Over four years, Easton taxpayers will save nearly $1 million when factoring in additional staffing and technology upgrades.
   
9. Why not keep dispatch in Easton and just hire more staff?
   To meet modern standards, Easton would need to spend a significant amount up front AND will incur higher on-going annual costs:
   - Multiple full-time dispatchers (≈ $150,000/year in added staffing)
   - CAD replacement ($225,000)
   - Mobile data terminals, iPads, server upgrades, and phone system replacement
   - Total additional cost to Easton Taxpayers $505,000.00
   
   And even with these investments, we would still have a single-dispatch center, which doesn’t address the core safety issue.