Grants provide upgrades for police force

Date: 11/21/2012

By Carley Dangona

carley@thereminder.com

AGAWAM — The Police Department (PD) was awarded two separate grants to support the training of its staff and for the betterment of its physical site and patrol car needs.

The first is a 911 Department Training Grant and EMD [Emergency Medical Dispatch] in the amount of $44,879 that will support the training and certification of dispatchers. The other grant is a 911 Department Support and Incentive Grant in the amount of $70,999, which the PD will use to offset the costs of necessary updates to its vehicle fleet, records storage and radio system. Both grants apply to fiscal year 2013 and are provided by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

Since 2008, Sgt. James Donovan, a veteran police officer of almost 25 years, has worked on obtaining grants for the PD to ensure the continued safety of the community by keeping systems current.

"We will be using the grant as a supplement to purchase three vehicles, to make physical improvements to the records office and storage area, and to increase our radio coverage around town with more antenna sites," Donovan explained.

"I think it's a compliment to the Police Department for going out in these difficult financial times and obtaining these wonderful grants. This aid goes above and beyond the budget and it is well used," Mayor Richard Cohen said.

"Some items need to be updated — like everything, things get tired. This assistance helps update [the station] without any cost to the taxpayer," Cohen added.

Donovan explained the PD eligibility for the grant. "Each designated Public Safety Answering Point [Agawam PD is such] in Massachusetts is eligible for 911 and training grants," he said. "We receive approximately 17,000 calls per year. Our site also provides EMD services to the community. The entire department is trained as dispatchers and each person is required to receive 16 hours of training per year."

According to Donovan, the PD received grants last year that provided upgraded dispatch software, in addition to the mandatory training. The money also enabled the installation of a security entrance to the PD, where visitors must speak through an intercom before being buzzed in.

Donovan pointed out that the grant is dispensed on a reimbursement basis, where services are paid for in full by the local department and then submitted to the state office for refund.

"Without grants, we'd be going to the City Council to find more money," Donovan continued.