James City County looks at potential consolidation with York-Poquoson-Williamsburg (yes, again.)

We never thought it would come up again so soon... just a few short years after the Board of Supervisors voted that James City County citizens deserve the best services the county could offer, which would include our 911 call takers and radio dispatchers staying at their center located in the county.  On Monday, 3\27\2023, JCC dispatchers received an email from Assistant County Administrator, Brad Rinehimer, that there would be a "meeting" the next morning at 9am about a consolidation with YPW. This was the 1st that we had heard about this in years. At the meeting, we were told that within 4 hours of us hearing about this, Mr. Rinehimer and County Administrator, Scott Stevens, along with the acting police chief, Tony Dallman, and the current fire chief, Ryan Ashe, would be taking it to the Board to try to get it approved for them to research and execute an agreement that would merge our centers.  After our emotional and pointless 'meeting', the Board of Supervisors were presented the idea without any documentation or facts that this consolidation is needed or would bring any benefits to the county. In fact, the board was given an incredible misinterpretation of what would be to come for the citizens of JCC if this were to happen. Thankfully, the Board made them remove the "execute" portion of their proposal so the Board would get to review it again before a final decision can be made. We would like to take this time to show citizens of James City County just how important it is for the James City Emergency Communications Center to stay exactly where it belongs, in James City!

●      The only reason given to us by Mr. Stevens for the need to consolidate is that we are short staffed. We are not short staffed; we are working at minimum staffing for the time being. That means there are still the same number of dispatchers working at a time in the center as there always has been. We currently have 4 dispatchers being trained as well as 4 on call positions that were recently created and filled by retired and past dispatchers of JCC. When the trainees are released, we will have more than the minimum staff required to run the center.  To be fully staffed, the county gives us 28 positions. At this moment, we have 26 dispatchers including trainees and on call.  Currently we have 70 applicants and interviews are being held April 17th and 18th. After those interviews we could be fully staffed. 

●      As compared to JCC, York-Poqouson-Williamsburg has 43 dispatchers with 8 of those being trainees. Since they dispatch for 3 jurisdictions, that equates to 14 dispatchers per jurisdiction compared to our current 26 for one jurisdiction. The director of YPW and Mr. Stephens have said that only 12 dispatchers from JCC are needed to make the consolidation work. That would be 13 dispatchers to cover each jurisdiction. Which sounds better and more staffed, 13 or 26? 

●      Currently, JCC and YPW are each other’s backup centers. This means if one fails, they can relocate to the other center while repairs are made. There is no lapse in 911 services for any of the 4 jurisdictions involved. If consolidated, the plan is to keep the JCC dispatch center functional but vacant as a backup. This would mean if the consolidated center fails, there would be no one at the backup center to answer phones for at least 45 minutes as dispatchers change locations. This would mean 4 jurisdictions would be without access to emergency services for at minimum 45 minutes. Would you rather have no interruption in services or 45 minutes where you or a loved one need help and have no one to answer your plea? 

●      If consolidated all dispatchers from the 4 jurisdictions would have to learn the new jurisdictions being added to their workload. YPW is already chaotic and overwhelmed as it is. JCC has dispatchers with longevity with the county. Most being there over at least 15 year and some over 20-25 years. JCC dispatchers know the county and the citizens being served. If moved to YPW, there would be a new computer system used and all of the years of call histories will be lost, making informed dispatching and officer safety a huge issue. 

●      The center would no longer be under JCC at all. It would be managed by YPW. This means JCC will lose the ability to make any decisions about how services should be provided to their own citizens. And the JCC dispatch center staff would be severed from employment with JCC. 

●      Not only will the citizens of JCC be negatively impacted, but the dispatchers who have faithfully and proudly served the citizens of JCC and first responders, even after 2 other attempts to get rid of them by county administration (not the Board of Supervisors). They do that because they want to give JCC the best service they can receive and they know that will not happen in a consolidated center.  The dispatchers have dedicated many years to JCC, some half of their lives, to now face things such as salary differences, loss of accrued leave/benefits, much further commutes, mental/emotional/physical health decline, and potentially loss of jobs for some people if a position isn't found for them.  The dispatchers chose to work for JCC, not 4 jurisdictions in a center 45 minutes from the one they work in. Is it even fathomable to tell an employee that has been dedicated to JCC, several over 20-25 years, and has built their lives around the location that everything they have worked for and accrued could all now be gone and the county they chose to work for is severing ties with them? 

Please take the time to sign this petition to let the Board of Supervisors know that what is best for James City County; that is to have the heart of emergency services stay within their county.

Thank you for all of your support.