Westport is considering joining Fairfield in a combined emergency dispatch center in a former General Electric facility in Fairfield now owned by Sacred Heart University.
Part of the space in the former GE security headquarters in Fairfield that is being eyed as a combined Westport-Fairfield emergency dispatch center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas outlined the preliminary plan today to the Board of Selectmen and said the move would result not only in cost savings but improved efficiencies for both municipalities.
General Electric abandoned the 66-acre property last year for a move to Boston. Sacred Heart University, which has its main campus a short distance away, purchased GE’s campus last year for $31.5 million.
Koskinas said Westport and Fairfield were looking to occupy a 5,000-square foot area of a 100,000-square foot building that formerly housed GE’s security center.
“Much of the infrastructure cost such as carpets are already there,” he said. So are redundant power supplies as well as nearby toilet and kitchen facilities for dispatchers.
Koskinas and Fire Assistant Chief Matthew Cohen said preliminary tests of radio links have already occurred and both Westport and Fairfield are satisfied with the results.
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Sacred Heart University purchased the former 66-acre GE headquarters site in Fairfield last year for $31.5 million. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
With the state pushing for regionalization and combing facilities – and providing ongoing financial incentives – the move would be beneficial for both communities, Koskinas said.
There are already early indications from other municipalities to possibly joining the project, he said.
The fact that Fairfield’s fire chief, Denis McCarthy, is a former Westport fire chief is also a plus, Koskinas said.
Westport, which currently dispatches fire calls for New Canaan, had been considering a combined fire-police dispatch in the basement of police headquarters.
But Koskinas said that was not ideal as the space was already tight, it was next to the police shooting range, there were no toilet facilities adjacent, and it was near a larger water main intake.
Koskinas said he would return to the board with an update after additional study is made.
