Connecticut House Bill HB06954

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/19
• Refer: 1/30/19

Caption

An Act Requiring A Study Of The Consolidation Of Public Safety Answering Points.

Impact

If enacted, the study proposed by HB 6954 could reveal significant insights into the operational and financial implications of merging PSAPs. It is expected that a successfully consolidated system may lead to cost savings for municipalities by reducing redundancies and improving resource allocation. With a focus on municipalities of larger population size, the bill may influence how public safety services are structured at the state level, pushing for a shift towards regional instead of solely local services, which could also enhance service quality in areas with greater demand.

Summary

House Bill 6954 mandates a study to explore the potential consolidation of public safety answering points (PSAPs) within Connecticut. The bill highlights the collaboration between the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and regional councils of governments. The objective is to analyze the feasibility of establishing regional PSAPs that would cater to municipalities with populations of 400,000 or more. This move aims to enhance the efficiency of public safety communication services across the state, potentially leading to quicker emergency response times and more streamlined operations.

Contention

Although the bill is designed to bring efficiencies, it may face contention from local governments concerned about losing control over their emergency services. Some local officials might argue that consolidation could lead to longer response times for smaller communities and a lack of alignment with local needs. The push for a regional model might also raise concerns about the adequacy of funding and resources to maintain effective operations across diverse municipalities, potentially creating disparities in service quality.