Association of Indiana Counties, Inc. 2007 Award Winner Local Government Cooperation Award Indiana Association of Cities

1. Association of Indiana Counties, Inc. 2007 Award Winner Local Government Cooperation Award Indiana Association of Cities and Towns 2007 Award Winner Local Government Cooperation Award

2. Hendricks County Radio Project Timeline • 2000 – Plainfield installs 800 mhz analog system with MECA • 2001 – Danville installs 800 mhz digital system with SAFE-T • 2003 – Sheriff Quearry begins exploring county-wide system • 9/04 – Technical Committee determines $12 million cost for 4 sites • 7/05 – County Council authorizes $1.00 increase in 911 Fee • 7/05 – Technical Committee eliminates 2 sites, cost reduced to $9 million • 8/05 – County Commissioners establish elected officials group • 10/05 – Group begins discussions on how to implement the Project • 1/06 – Discussions turn to Single Dispatch site, reduce cost to $7.5 million • 3/27/06 – Elected Officials Meet to Discuss Proposal

3. 5/13/06 - Committee meets to form Interlocal Agreement • 8/3/06 - MECA, Plainfield and SAFE-T officials meet to discuss MECA build-out • 8/3/06 - Agencies begin signing Interlocal Agreement-Signed by all 23 Units • 8/24/06 - Schneider Engineering begins design of new dispatch center • 9/19/06 - First meeting of the Governing Board • 1/1/07 - Remodeling of Plainfield Police Headquarters begins • 1/30/07 – New equipment begins to arrive • 5/30/07 - Completion of training for employees • 7/19/07 - First agencies begin using new system • 9/17/07 - Final agencies are added to system • Fall, 2007 – IACT and AIC Awards for Community Cooperation

4. Results of Negations with MECA and SAFE-T • SAFE-T has changed it’s plans and coverage since earlier negotiations-Towers in Mooresville, Danville, Jamestown and Zionsville • New radio technology and agreements by MECA and SAFE-T allow for both systems to operate in the same radio zone, allowing for scanning of both systems. • SAFE-T data system will be connected to the MECA system, allowing for state-wide use of the data system, for Hendricks AND Marion County officers • SAFE-T will allow Public Works and School Officials to use analog radios on the system. • By using only one primary system for the county, dispatchers will be able to respond more efficiently and the cost will be greatly reduced. • New talks have begun for developing a state-wide CAD and information system, shared by both MECA and the State

5. OPERATIONAL COMPOSITION Two Boards: Operational Board and Governing Board Operational Board 2 Chief of Police representatives 2 full-time Fire Chief representatives 1 Sheriff’s Department representative 1 small town police department representative 1 rural fire department representative EMA Director The Communications Executive Officer – non-voting member Governing Board Plainfield Town Council – Robin Brandgard Hendricks County Commissioner – David Whicker Brownsburg Town Council – TBD on September 14 Danville Town Board – Myron Anderson Avon Town Council – TBD on September 14 Small Town Representative – TBD on September 19 Township Trustee Representative – Tim Griffith, Middle Township Trustee The Boards meet monthly.

6. There were 49 dispatchers employed throughout Hendricks County for public safety dispatching. The Town of Danville had only 1 to 2 dispatchers on duty at any time and was looking to increase to a minimum of 2 per shift. Brownsburg had 2 dispatchers per shift. The Sheriff’s Department had 3 to 4 dispatchers per shift. Plainfield had 4 to 5 dispatchers per shift. That meant that with the prior setup of operating 4 dispatch centers, there were from 10 to 13 dispatchers on duty at any given time throughout the county. The total number would have increased steadily as the area continues to grow, especially for Danville as they were adding 4 more dispatchers in the near future to reach the 2 minimum. With 49 dispatchers in one center, coverage for public safety can be greatly enhanced due to the fact that there is a lot of radio down time with 4 different sites. The total number of dispatchers available with 49 would be consistently set at 11 to 12.

7. After reviewing the needs of Hendricks County, it was proposed that 38 working dispatchers would more than enough to provide the needed coverage. This would result in approximately 8 assigned to a shift, with 3 dispatchers scheduled during peak times. The new schedule is 12 hours. No employee should be forced from their job as a result of this project. In order to accomplish this, these savings will be seen as a result of attrition. As employees retire, resign or move to other areas within their department, positions will become vacant and will not be filled until we reach the intended goal. 2007 Estimated Budget Personnel $2,014,900.00 General Operating $270,900.00 Utility Services $16,150.00 Maintenance $36,000.00 Other Services $30,000.00 2007 TOTAL $2,367,950.00 2006 Total for 4 Sites $2,631,550.00 Estimated Savings $263,550.00

9. Layout of new Communications Center

13. Advantages of The Project • One Radio System for Public Safety Communications • Fully integrated Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) • One Records Management System for Police and Fire • Automated Vehicle Locator (AVL) for closest car response • Reduced Equipment Costs with One Dispatch Center • Reduced need for manpower • Reduced Operational Costs • Improved Communications between agencies-through voice radio, Records Management, in-vehicle data and Emergency Response • Fully Compatible with MECA, Indiana State Police and other 800 Mhz systems

14. The most important thing that can be accomplished is to increase the level of public safety service throughout Hendricks County. The total communications package provides voice communication on the same platform, mobile data information from the Center to the vehicles or vehicle to vehicle, information sharing through the same Records Management System, the state of the art Computer Aided Dispatch software and a unified system of dispatching. Through the fiber optic lines that are in place, we increased the speed at which the information and voice transfers are conducted and improve our efficiency even more, as well as reach out to other governmental departments.