Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center Partnership
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The Town of Sudbury is pleased to announce our partnership with the Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center (HRECC). Fire Department emergency calls are now dispatched by the Center, and Police Department emergency calls are expected to transition later this year.
Benefits of Regionalization
Sudbury dispatch services for the Police and Fire Departments were combined in light of mandated Emergency Medical Dispatch requirements as well as more efficient service. These services transitioned to a central location after the 2015 relocation of Sudbury Police Headquarters. Staffing the Sudbury Dispatch Office has become increasingly challenging, and the number of dispatch personnel has fallen sharply in recent years.
Sudbury currently employs three telecommunicator professionals, two of whom aspire to be police officers, of the available nine positions. By contrast, HRECC employs 44 telecommunicator professionals, with more to be hired, which gives Sudbury access to more dispatch personnel for major events and surges of 911 calls.
In addition, Sudbury’s Police and Fire radio systems, which connect dispatchers to first responders, will be upgraded at no cost to the Town through a State 911 Department Grant obtained by HRECC.
Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center
HRECC offers highly trained dispatchers and state of the art equipment, providing industry-leading dispatch services to Sudbury residents. Residents are encouraged to visit the HRECC website to learn more about the Center’s capabilities and staff.
Sudbury Dispatch Office
Sudbury’s dispatch office, located in the Police Station at 75 Hudson Road, remains open for business such as routine business line calls, permitting, SHARPS collection, Drug Kiosk, walk-in reports and general assistance. The office will continue to dispatch police responders until the Police Department’s transition to HRECC is finalized.
Phone Numbers Remain the Same
A reminder to please call 911 for emergencies, 978-443-1042 for non-urgent Police Department matters and (978) 440 – 5301 for non-urgent Fire Department business.
Press Release from the Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center:
Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center Assumes Dispatch Services for Sudbury Fire Department
HOLBROOK — Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center (HRECC) Director Steve Hooke, together with Sudbury Fire Chief John Whalen, are pleased to announce that as of this morning, the HRECC has officially taken on Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), commonly known as 911 call center, and dispatch responsibilities for the Sudbury Fire Department. The Sudbury Police Department is also slated to transition to HRECC dispatch services in the near future.
This new operational phase follows a strategic inter-municipal agreement under which HRECC will manage 911 calls and provide essential dispatch services for the Sudbury community. The integration marks a significant enhancement in the collaborative efforts to ensure swift and efficient emergency response services across the region.
“We are committed to ensuring a smooth and comprehensive transition of dispatch services for the Town of Sudbury,” stated Director Hooke. “Our team is dedicated to upholding strong partnerships with both the fire and police departments to deliver top-notch service to the first responders and the community.”
Fire Chief John Whalen, who expressed his confidence in the new arrangement, said, “The collaboration with HRECC has been thorough and proactive. We are confident that this partnership will not only enhance our ability to serve Sudbury’s residents effectively but also lead to further improvements in the future. We look forward to the continued support and professionalism provided by HRECC.”
The transition to HRECC’s dispatch services will enable more coordinated and efficient handling of emergency calls, including wireless direct, wireline and text-to-911 capabilities.
HRECC currently provides comprehensive dispatch services to now 18 departments across Norfolk, Plymouth and Middlesex counties and supports specialized teams such as the Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team and the Fire District 4 Control Point. Sudbury Fire Department’s inclusion in this network underscores HRECC’s growing role as a pivotal entity in regional emergency communications.
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