Mayor John Vieau talks about the importance of the new WESTCOMM Regional Dispatch Center in Chicopee.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — Elected officials, first responders and more gathered on July 14 for the ribbon cutting ceremony of a new regional emergency communications center at the old Salter College site at 645 Shawninigan Dr.
The new center is set up to enhance and revolutionize the emergency response capabilities for the towns and cities it currently serves and allows more room for other communities to join.
WESTCOMM Regional Dispatch currently provides emergency communication services for Chicopee, Longmeadow, Monson, East Longmeadow, Ware and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department.
WESTCOMM hosted a groundbreaking event in March 2024 and has since renovated the building to feature advanced equipment and systems designed to streamline communication processes and improve response times during critical situations.
Additionally, the facility is said to provide ample space for training, collaboration and future expansion to accommodate the needs of growing communities.
The new facility was made possible through funding from the State 911 Department.
Massachusetts State 911 Department Executive Director Frank Pozniak explained that although WESTCOMM Regional Disptach was established in 2019, the project has been in the works for 10 plus years.
WESTCOMM went live in December 2019 by dispatching for Chicopee and Longmeadow. In July 2020, WESTCOMM grew to include dispatch for East Longmeadow and Monson before Ware joined in December 2021. In July 2023, WESTCOMM began contract dispatching for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office specialty units.
Pozniak stated, “It’s been a long haul, but you know what, it’s here and this is great. This facility represents more than just a new building, it embodies a shared commitment to public safety, regional collaboration and innovation in the world of emergency communications. At the State 911 Department, we believe that every second counts and this new complex will help ensure that every call for help is met with swift, professional and coordinated response.”
Many speakers also credited former Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos and retired Chicopee Police Chief Wiliam Jebb as pioneers of pushing for regional dispatch in the area.
WESTCOMM Regional 911 interim Executive Director Penny Ryan called both men “two of the earliest champions of the project.” Ryan said Kos was very excited to tour the facility.
Ryan also talked about the impact this new regional center will have on the communities they serve.
“The team of WESTCOMM and all 911 dispatchers are the first, first responders. They are the calm voice on the line 24 hours a day, seven days a week supporting you, your families and our public safety partners when it matters most,” she said.
Ryan also had a message for communities who are currently not a part of the WESTCOMM 911 regional dispatch.
She stated, “Some people shy away from the idea of 911 regionalization because they love their local dispatchers and my answer to that is, of course you love them, we do too. So much so that we’re building them a future, a career path, opportunities for growth, access to the latest technology, a collaborative and supportive team, things you could only dream of.”
The current regional dispatch center, located at 110 Church St. in Chicopee, can accommodate nine dispatchers, but this new building will be able to accommodate 27.
Chicopee Mayor John Vieau said this new facility will help make room at the public safety complex in Chicopee, for its recently approved real time information center, a building that will serve as a centralized technology-driven unit within the police department designed to provide real time information and analytics to support patrol officers, police operations and investigations.
Besides having space for the new real time information center, Vieau said Chicopee was able to improve the safety for residents in Chicopee by being able to put three patrolmen and two firefighters per shift back out on the street to protect the community since joining the regional dispatch.
Vieau also had a message to the neighboring communities who are currently not a part of the WESTCOMM regional dispatch network.
He said, “We have a state-of-the-art facility behind me, but there’s a lot of capacity in this building, so for some potential regional partners, you need to come see what is going on here. I know a lot of our neighbors are concerned about giving up control, but what you end up with is state of the art professional dispatching, something that is very special in keeping your community safe. As mayor of Chicopee, I believe that is paramount.”
