LEETONIA–Village council is considering a contract with Columbiana for emergency dispatch services.

Council last week tabled an emergency resolution authorizing Mayor Kevin Siembida to contract with Columbiana for dispatch. The resolution will be revisited at the next council meeting after council members have an opportunity to review the issue.

Police Chief Allen Haueter presented the idea in response to a consistent shortage of dispatchers. He reminded council he brought forward problems with staff shortages months ago asking for wage increases to attract candidates.

Dispatcher Tracy McCreary was deflated after hearing about the potential contract. She estimated the department was running with 80 percent staffing and only four shifts were being ran by the fire department until the announcement was made.

“When we found out about it and they said this was supposed to be done in April, it was a shock. I’ve been here 28 years. I kind of grew up here,” she said. “They took the wind out of your sail.”

McCreary said after dispatchers were informed about the contract two employees were lost. One employee quit and another interviewed in a different community.

According to McCreary, former dispatchers and staff have stepped up and she is disappointed about the results of the announcement.

Haueter has watched dispatcher McCreary train multiple people who leave shortly after.

“It’s been a constant battle for her,” Haueter said. “I’ve seen it go on and I finally said enough is enough.”

McCreary said she is willing to continue training because she understands how challenging the dispatcher position is.

“It takes a special kind of person to sit there and listen to your officer possibly getting shot, or beat or fight,” she said. “We have to stop trains; we have to help land a life flight. That takes a special person.”

McCreary said she has partnered with the chief during council several times asking for higher wages to incentivize applicants. According to McCreary, wages started at an hourly rate of $11.25 before they increased to $13.

Fire Chief Lawrence D. Hephner Jr. complimented dispatchers for the job they do after noting he underestimated their positions until he and other firefighters stepped in to help.

The village has partnered with the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office in an attempt to prevent dropped calls; however, the efforts are not sustainable.

Dispatchers and Haueter are worried about losing personal touch with the community such as residents and identifying landmarks.

“They know people. They know the houses. They know the streets,” Haueter explained.

Some procedures are being limited as a two-way courtesy to prevent Columbiana dispatchers from being overburdened. Costs to route calls into Columbiana would remain low because radio frequencies and radios are the same. According to Haueter, the only requirement is the installation of an antenna.

“If we have to open back up, it’s only a year contract,” Haueter explained about reestablishing emergency services in the village.

Haueter, along with Solicitor Abbey Minamyer, are concerned with rates increasing after the one-year contract expires. The contract can be voided during a 90-day period.

Haueter said he wants the departments two long-term dispatchers in the station helping with assists, police reports, radio responses, sirens and other administrative duties. Dispatchers Becky Shearer and McCreary have dedicated their careers in service to the village.

Shearer said she is against closing dispatch operations. She said she believes when operations stop, they will not resume.

“If you can’t get these people in and train them now and a year from now you want to open back up, where are you going to get the people then,” she asked.

After observing discussion during council Siembida directed the conversation back to the core issue regarding dispatch as a shortage of staffing.

“How long are we going to go and how long are we going to risk our residents the services with not having people or being able to train people,” he said.

Siembida urged council to take account how much overtime, training, and forwarding calls to the sheriff is impacting the budget.

“That has to be the discussion and the decision,” he said. “If you are willing to potentially risk not having somebody answer the phone because maybe someday, they won’t be able to cover it, that’s what you guys have to base your decision on.”

Dispatch cannot maintain 24 hour, seven day coverage with a shortage of staff. Overtime has increased operational costs and the county is charging $600 monthly to take calls part time.

Siembida said he is torn to watch local dispatching leave, but telling families who lose a loved one due to understaffing is far worse.

dgarner@mojonews.com