Birmingham Approves Dispatch Sharing Deal, New 911 System

Birmingham and Beverly Hills will soon be sharing emergency dispatch services, after the Birmingham City Commission formally approved a deal between the two communities at its Monday night meeting.

The plan, which consolidates police and emergency dispatch services in Birmingham, saves both communities money. Each community will now spend 30-40 percent less on its annual dispatch costs, while receiving a steep discount on replacing aging equipment.

The Beverly Hills Village Council unanimously approved the deal at its April 3 meeting.

Along with the dispatch-sharing agreement, Birmingham also received $60,182 off the price of a new VESTA Pallas 911 system, and a deal it received partly because of the new dispatch-sharing agreement.

The City Commission said yes to the new 911 system Monday night at a cost of $46,700. The system originally cost $106,883, however countywide discounts and grants for Birmingham and Beverly Hills cut that price in half.

Birmingham's current dispatch equipment has been in place since 1998, Police Chief Don Studt said.

Overall, the plan will cut costs for both parties by reducing the number of people needed to take emergency calls. Currently, Birmingham spends $600,000 on dispatch per year while Beverly Hills spends $400,000. Dispatch services will be consolidated at the Birmingham communication center with its nine full- and part-time employees.

Birmingham and Beverly Hills have been negotiating a dispatch-sharing agreement for several years, City Manager Bob Bruner said. over whether Beverly Hills would receive the same level of service should dispatch be taken out its hands, that Birmingham would be more than able to handle the work.

"We're very comfortable that our communication staff can handle the additional work," he said.

In 2011, Birmingham had around 8,300 911 calls. In Beverly Hills, there were 2,300. The current dispatch center in Birmingham can handle up to four 911 calls at one time, though police are looking to add a third work station to increase that amount.

On Monday night, Commissioner Tom McDaniel applauded the work of the , city staff and the councilmembers from Beverly Hills, several of whom were in the audience Monday night.

"This really has been thoroughly vetted and we've convinced some skeptical Beverly Hills councilmen," he said.

Commissioner Gordon Rinschler agreed. "I think this is a great deal for both communities," he said.

The switch to the new 911 system in Birmingham is scheduled to take place July 1 to coincide with the beginning of the fiscal year.