Connecticut House Bill HB05544

Connecticut 2016 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/2/16
• Refer: 3/2/16
• Report Pass: 3/10/16
• Refer: 3/21/16
• Report Pass: 3/29/16

Caption

An Act Concerning The Consolidation Of Public Safety Answering Points.

Impact

If enacted, HB 5544 would facilitate a significant restructuring of public safety answering points (PSAPs) in the state. It requires smaller municipalities to transition their PSAP services into regional centers, thus addressing a long-standing challenge: the high operational costs of maintaining individual centers for low call volumes. This centralization is expected to improve response times and service delivery while also optimizing the use of government resources aimed at public safety telecommunications.

Summary

House Bill 5544, titled 'An Act Concerning the Consolidation of Public Safety Answering Points', aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency telecommunications by promoting the consolidation of 9-1-1 call centers across municipalities. The bill encourages the establishment of regional emergency telecommunications centers that can service multiple municipalities, thereby streamlining operations and reducing costs associated with emergency response services. Under the new framework, municipalities with smaller populations that fall below certain thresholds are incentivized to join larger regional centers, enhancing their capability to manage emergency calls efficiently.

Sentiment

The discourse surrounding HB 5544 is largely positive among public safety officials and proponents of regionalization, who argue that such measures will lead to improved public safety outcomes and more effective use of taxpayer funds. However, there are concerns among some local leaders and community groups regarding the perceived loss of local control over emergency services. Critics argue that consolidating PSAPs could lead to issues with responsiveness to local issues, as a centralized system may not be as familiar with the specific needs of diverse communities.

Contention

Notably, the bill sparks debate over resource allocation and the definition of sufficient service levels for smaller municipalities. There is contention regarding the thresholds set for population and call volume, which determine whether municipalities are required to merge their emergency services. Some stakeholders believe these thresholds may be set too low, placing unnecessary burdens on smaller municipalities to comply with new regulations, while others view them as necessary to ensure that all residents have access to effective emergency services.