BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — There's concern in Springville over the future of the emergency control center, responsible for dispatching fire and EMS crews. Both the fire department and local leaders are worried about its funding.
Since the mid-1970s, the center has been located in the Springville Public Safety Building. The dispatch console is antiquated and broken. Dispatch is currently using a backup laptop, and if it were to go down they'd rely on a handheld radio.
The system was originally acquired by Erie County, but now the county says a replacement, which could cost $100,000 or more is not their responsibility. Town and village leaders told 7 News that since they didn't purchase it, that cost should not fall on them.
Closing the center would mean longer response times for neighbors in the area.
“If you don’t have it, and they move this dispatch out of here, you’re not going to be able to have the help and assistance," JM Jewett, President of the Erie County Volunteer Firemen's Association told 7 News.
WATCH: 'What is the cost of public safety?': Concern surrounds future of Springville emergency control
First responders gathered at the village board meeting on Monday hoping to get answers.
Springville dispatcher Autumn Bunnell shared with 7 News reporter Yoselin Person that she and many others are worried they won’t be able to help save lives if the board decides to move the dispatch center.
“From a dispatcher standpoint obviously I want to be able to get help to people who need it quickly. I fear if we go somewhere else it’s not going to be the case. A lot of people have a heavy load themselves,” Bunnell said. “As a village resident, it’s nice knowing who’s coming for you when you need help quickly... and as far as EMS I obviously want to be able to get to people who need the help as quickly as we can so if things don’t stay how they are it could be very scary. “
Jewett stood in front of the board Monday and said the dispatch center needs to stay right where it is.
"Whether it be an auto accident, a cardiac arrest, or anything, they're going to need services there as soon as possible," said Jewett.
Springville Mayor Timothy Michaels said the town is at odds with the county over money.
“The county is saying it was a grant but now the county is saying that we’re responsible to pay for the upgrades,” he said. “But it’s county equipment. it's got country property tags, so I guess the problem is whose equipment is it and who’s responsible for the upgrades."
Village Trustees say public safety is a priority.
"I said that right when I was campaigning that I would support public safety,” said Russell Belscher.
"The trustees, I'm a newly elected one, but we had no information going into this meeting about that the dispatch was in danger so I look forward to working in a collaborative process with the other stakeholders to figure out how we can best serve the public safety of the residents. We definitely heard them. We understand the necessity and the need and we’re here to work for them,” said Jessica Schuster.
Other first responders say they know this community and that makes a difference in an emergency.
"Moving that somewhere else where people don’t understand the population here, I think is a detriment," Todd Catalano, disaster coordinator of the Village of Springville
The board has not yet decided when it will vote on this issue.
