A few weeks ago you may have read articles on the Proposed Public Safety Answering Point Consolidation or Reorganization Plan related to Maine Public Utilities Commission. Many of us wrote letters supporting the Franklin County PSAP as being necessary for the safety and the visitors to our area. Our efforts appear to be successful!

First a little background.

In 2009, the Maine legislature enacted Public Law 2009, Chapter 219, which required the PUC to study and report back on optimum Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP E-9-1-1) configuration for the state of Maine. The commission contacted L. Robert Kimball to complete a study. The study can be reviewed at www.maine911.com. The recommendations from the study say that there should be 15-17 PSAPs that are regionally located. The consolidation, the study reports, suggest costs will be reduced and save the state money.

The underlying assumption for this recommendation is that PSAP (E-9-1-1 call taking) and dispatch functions, to the greatest degree possible, should be consolidated into regional facilities. The expected final recommendations will be presented to the Legislative Energy and Utilities Committee in October 2010.

Comments on the proposed reduction were due earlier this summer. Below is a summary of what I submitted.

Minutes and seconds are vital to saving a life when it is in jeopardy. One unnecessary step of another notification could significantly jeopardize this window of opportunity. Taking the time to have calls go back and forth can use up valuable time in responding to an emergency in remote areas.

Even though Franklin County may have a smaller population than some other counties, it has a large geographical area with limited communications coverage in many locations. In Cumberland County the PSAP covers 40 square miles. The Franklin County center covers 1,600 square miles.

It is critical to maintain this communication center where tourism and recreational activity remains a significant economic driver. Seasonal recreational influx of over 15,000 people in the Carrabassett Valley and Rangeley areas results in more emergency calls. Visitors coming to the area expect competent and knowledgeable response when an emergency arises.

Dispatcher familiarity with the coverage area is critical. Consider the recent help provided to two individuals that were lost. The dispatcher knew where the lost individuals were and was able to walk them out to safety. NO one had to be dispatched. People were safe and money actually saved. The dispatcher’s familiarity with the region is a factor in assisting people successfully.

The area does contain one large operating pulp and paper manufacturing facility. The needs of industrial areas must be served in the consolidation decision. The present configuration does this and should not be changed.

The PUC listened to our concerns and comments. The preliminary recommendation recognizes the Franklin County Dispatch as critical to this area. (A copy of the report can be found at the following this link http://www.maine.gov/mpuc/online/index.shtml. Go to the “virtual case file.” Enter the virtual file and type in “2010185” in the case “id.” This will bring you to the recommendations.)

The recommendations suggested that the Franklin County Dispatch remain as a unit in itself and not consolidated or closed. BUT, we are not out of the “woods” yet. Comments supporting this recommendation are critical.

If you would like to comment on the Proposed Plan, you must file as described below by Sept. 14, 2010:

Comments should be submitted electronically (e-filed) by going to the Commission web site, http://www.maine.gov/mpuc/online/index.shtml and following the e- filing instructions. If you are having difficulties, please call 287-3831

Persons without electronic access may mail comments to: Administrative Director, Maine Public Utilities Commission, 18 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333.

Persons may also fax comments to 287-1039.

Please include your name, address, telephone and email so that you will be added to the service list, which means you will automatically receive all subsequent Public Utilities Commission filings related to this Docket. IMPORTANT: All filings should refer to and be marked with Docket No. 2010-185.

As always it is my pleasure to represent you. If you have any questions about this or anything else please give me a call at 645-3420 or e-mail me at drtom16@hotmail.com.

Tom Saviello of Wilton represents House District 90: the towns of Avon, New Vineyard, Phillips, Strong, Temple and Wilton, plus the unorganized territories of East Central Franklin and Perkins and Washington townships.