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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, May 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 2, 2004 Central Point looks to SORC City Council to decide if city police will contract with Southern Oregon Regional Communications for 911 services By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — Moving the city’s 911 and emergency dispatching services should save the city about $35,000 a year, officials said. A contract to join Southern Oregon Regional Communications (SORC) is pending City Council approval, said City Administrator Phil Messina. SORC will answer all the city’s 911 calls and dispatch its police officers — duties formerly handled by the city of Medford. SORC already dispatches for Central Point’s fire service with Jackson County Fire District No. 3. The police department would have paid about $198,000 to Medford’s Central Communications (CCOM) this year, Messina said. SORC will charge the city $163,000, he said. In addition to the savings, switching its contract will give the city more of a voice in how its emergency calls are handled, Messina said. "One of the attractive things of going with SORC is becoming a member ... having a seat at the table," Messina said. Operating under an intergovernmental agreement, SORC is the sole dispatcher for 25 agencies, including the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, county fire districts and seven small city police departments. Each member agency has a representative on the SORC board. Advertisement Under the direction of Medford city officials, CCOM dispatches for municipal police and fire services, the Medford airport fire and rescue squad and the city of Ashland. Central Point’s costs were due to increase because of CCOM’s added expense associated with dispatching for Ashland, said Central Point police Chief Mike Sweeny. Police in Medford and Central Point will continue to back each other up where their jurisdictions overlap, Messina said. And District No. 3 firefighters may respond a few seconds quicker because the city’s 911 calls no longer will be transferred between SORC and CCOM, said Fire Chief Randy Iverson. Police and firefighters may share more accurate information as a result of being dispatched by the same center, he added. The change also will provide the city with increased technical support and some new computer equipment in officers’ patrol cars, officials said. Improved technology allowing SORC to communicate with mobile computers in patrol cars prompted the agency to bid for Central Point’s contract, which will take effect July 1. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times