LifeNet, Inc., the area’s medical emergency responder, has notified the City of Hot Springs of its intent to utilize the city’s future communications center for coordination of ambulance dispatch, pursuant to completion of the city’s radio system improvement project.
“As you know, 69% of all ambulance activity is located within the city limits,” said LifeNet President and CEO David Baumgardner in a December 10 communication to Hot Springs City Manager David Frasher. “Fewer communications centers will result in better coordination between entities and very likely will also result in better communications between agencies. These factors benefit not only the staff that are working in sometimes dangerous situations, but also enhance the service the community receives. These benefits are precisely consistent with our mission and values… Therefore, after careful consideration of all the factors involved, we believe that by partnering with the city we will be able to optimize our ability to provide the highest quality service for the benefit of the entire community and its numerous visitors.”
“We look forward to welcoming LifeNet and the improved efficiencies that will result therefrom,” said Frasher. “When LifeNet joins the City Communications Center, it will reduce the number of countywide PSAP's from five to four, which will also result in a commensurate reduction in 911 transfers.”
On November 22, the Hot Springs Board of Directors approved 2.6 mils in property tax for a period of two years to help fund a new, state-of-the-art radio communications system for the city’s police and fire departments. In the Hot Springs Police Department’s PSAP (public safety answering point), trained telephone operators receive 911 calls and dispatch police, firefighting and ambulance services. The number of communication consoles within the police department’s PSAP will be increased from four to eight, facilitating the accommodation of LifeNet ambulance dispatch and streamlining emergency response to Hot Springs citizens.
The city’s police and fire chiefs are nearing the finalization of specifications for the citywide radio communications system. They will meet this week with an architect, an engineer and a LifeNet representative to begin examining the remodel of the existing Police Department communications center.