WORCESTER – The Worcester City Council meets Tuesday night, February 4.
Ahead of each City Council meeting, ThisWeekinWorcester.com [TWIW] will provide a preview to help keep readers informed of the on-goings of the city’s governing body.
Each preview will highlight items from the City Council agenda for that week that haven’t already been covered by TWIW.
This week’s agenda belongs to City Manager Ed Augustus and he’s got some important updates on the Worcester Fire Department and the city’s public safety and emergency communications center.
Worcester Fire Dept. to Be Reviewed by Consultant
At the advice of Chief Michael Lavoie. Augustuswill begin a search to hire a professional fire service consultant to conduct an examination of the Worcester Fire Department’s full operations and producers.
Augustus said after the loss of Lt. Jason Menard last fall, he announced that the City would undertake a review of the WFD to see where changes needed to be made.
After speaking with fire chiefs in other cities that had experienced similar losses to the Worcester Fire Department, Augustus chose to go with hiring a consultant.
The consultant will study the fire department’s master plan, standards of cover, community risk assessment and a strategic plan.
While the WFD is being reviewed, the City Manager’s office will also be reviewing the City’s Department of Inspectional Services.
City Seeks to Replace Public Safety System
Also on the City Manager’s agenda, is the proposed replacement of the City’s public safety system.
In a communication to the Council from Augustus, he writes, “This system is 25 years old, outdated and will soon no longer be supported by the current vendor. Police, Fire and Communications are currently researching to find a replacement product to meet their needs.”
There is funding noted in the FY19 budget to upgrade the public safety system.
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