Four Cities to Consolidate Fire and Police Dispatch Services

University Heights and Shaker Heights have both passed an ordinance which will create a regional council of governments to create a shared police and fire dispatch center. South Euclid and Cleveland Heights are expected to follow suit reports Cleveland.com.

The shared police and fire dispatch partnership has already been named Eastcom. Once all four citieshave passed their ordinances, Eastcom will be eligible for a $1 million grant from Cuyahoga County. The total cost of the dispatch center is expected to be $1.4 million, the grant will be put toward those costs. Additional funding will be sought from the state of Ohio. Cities will also contribute $17,500 per year for maintenance.

To be eligible for the grant money, all four cities will need to approve legislation by the middle of May.

Another requirement for the participating cities will be the formation of a shared dispatch, the state mandates that there be only four suburban dispatch center in Cuyahoga county. The city of Cleveland will operate its own center according to Cleveland.com.

University Heights Mayor Susan Infeld, said that cities that decline center membership risk losing 911 funding which allows 911 to work with cellular phones.