Gary Premo talks about the growth and expansion of the MECC (audio)

FM #1395 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1395 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of my conversation with Gary Premo, Executive Director of the Metacomet Emergency Communication Center (MECC). We had our conversation at the MECC on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.  

• Gary provides his background
• Operations at the MECC
• What to expect when you call 911
• Growth and possible expansion

The meeting runs about 20 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Gary on emergency dispatch operations.

https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1395-metacometemergency-comms-center-02-26-25/

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Metacomet Emergency Communication Center home page 

https://www.meccdispatch.org/ 

Member communities -> https://www.meccdispatch.org/home/pages/visit-our-member-communities 

Facebook page -> https://www.facebook.com/meccdispatch 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Gary Premo talks about the growth and expansion of the MECC (audio)

MECC stats for February 2025

MECC stats for February 2025

 

"Incident statistics for all communities serviced by the MECC in the month of February"

 

Member communities = Franklin, Mendon, Millville, Norfolk , Plainville, & Wrentham 

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1CQf6DpZTa/

Listen to "Franklin Ma Populatic Street Multiple alarm Brush Fire audio" on YouTube

"Fire was in the area of Populatic street. Mutual aid from Bellingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Sharon and Walpole fire"

Video link -> https://youtu.be/lCw6Z5UjnsY?si=ct4w9mYW2Ckxlaf9

Franklin Fire & mutual aid respond to fire at St Mary's Wednesday

At 5:46 PM the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center received a Fire Alarm from a central station monitoring company for 1 Church Square followed by a caller reporting a fire at the back of St. Mary's Church. Franklin Fire units were dispatched and a working fire assignment was quickly struck bringing in mutual aid from Norfolk, Wrentham, Medway, Bellingham, and Plainville.

A fire in the rear sacristy was quickly extinguished by the initial arriving crews. There was a significant amount of smoke throughout the entire Church. Personnel remained on scene for a period of time to ventilate the building.

fire at St Mary's

This fire is under investigation by the Franklin Fire Department, Franklin Police Department, The State Fire Marshal's Office, and the ATF.

The Foxboro Fire Department provided station coverage.

Contact:

James McLaughlin, 

Franklin Fire Chief 508 553 5570

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/9BJc154Zno4oWaH9/

MECC Now Hiring Public Safety Telecommunicators

Via the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center 

MECC Now Hiring Public Safety Telecommunicators

"Now Hiring Public Safety Telecommunicators

 

Are you looking for a fast paced and rewarding career, or know someone looking to get into public safety? We are hiring full-time positions and no experience needed, but it is preferred.  

Our center offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit package, along with chances for professional growth and continuous personal development. At our center YOU can make a big difference and positive impacts within our local communities! "

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/uUHHULUDNao61rrn/ 

2024 Call Data Highlights from the MECC (our regional dispatch center)

From the MECC otherwise known as the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center which is the regional dispatch center for Franklin, Mendon, Millville, Norfolk, Plainville, and Wrentham.

The call activity for Jan, Feb, Mar & Apr 2024:

🚨2024 Call Data Highlights🚑🚔🔥

💥Top Reasons for Calls📞:

1. Burglar alarms-656

2. Fall-607

3. Fire alarm-504

4. MVA’s non injury-480  (MVA = motor vehicle accident)

Fun fact: In the age of smartphones, over 80% of 911 calls are made from mobile devices.📱#911funfacts

Visit the MECC at www.meccdispatch.org/

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/fUu65iquWFkfMEZq/?mibextid=oFDknk

Community tips for calling 911

Via the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center (MECC)

Community tips for calling 911

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/HWwrbbE1umJgoHds/

Finance Committee - last of 3 budget hearings - May 11, 2023 at 7 PM

Finance Committee Meeting 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Monday, May 11, 2023 = 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building 

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. FY24 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing continued...

FY24 Town Administrator Budget Materials website

a. Public Safety:

i. 210 Police Department

ii. 220 Fire Department

iii. 225 Regional Dispatch

iv. 240 Inspection Department

v. 292 Animal Control

4. FY24 Town Administrator Operating & Enterprise Budget Final Recommendation.

5. Future Agenda Items

6. Adjourn

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/may_11th_fin_com_agenda.pdf

Finance Committee - last of 3 budget hearings - May 11, 2023 at 7 PM

The Metacomet Emergency Communications Center (MECC) is hiring

via Franklin Fire Dept twitter:

Our Regional Dispatch Center is hiring!

Check out the posting below:

The Metacomet Emergency Communications Center (MECC) is hiring

The Metacomet Emergency Communications Center (MECC) is hiring 

For more about the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center (MECC) https://www.franklinma.gov/metacomet-emergency-communications-center-mecc

And an overview presentation to the Town Council in May 20202

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/mecc_presentation.pdf

Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #2 - Public Safety & Public Works (video)

The Finance Committee meeting was broadcast, live steamed, and available via either of the cable channels (Comcast & Verizon), as well as broadcast to YouTube. The YouTube recording is now available for replay.  

YouTube link -> https://youtu.be/zqiyIdFy8ik

My recap will be ready in a day or so. In the meantime, my Twitter notes can be found (in one PDF doc) ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SERBrhfi0U1eOLfFR6GWHkcl07UiazpH/view?usp=sharing

Finance Committee: Budget Hearing #2 - Public Safety & Public Works - May 11, 2022 - 6:30 PM

Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #2

May 11, 2022 - 6:30 PM 

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

 
Agenda
1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes

4. FY23 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing Continued...
FY23 Town Administrator Budget Materials website

 https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-23-budget-materials

a. Public Safety:

i. 210 Police Department

ii. 220 Fire Department

iii. 225 Regional Dispatch

iv. 240 Inspection Department

v. 292 Animal Control

b. Department of Public Works (DPW):

i. 422 Public Works

ii. 424 Street Lighting

iii. Enterprise Funds:

1. 450 Water

2. 440 Sewer

3. 434 Solid Waste

5. Future Agenda Items

6. Adjourn

Agenda doc with remote connection info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2022-05-11_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf

FY23 Town Administrator Budget Materials website

FM #527 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 (audio)

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Finance Committee, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder were remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda. 

Let’s listen to this budget hearing on "Public Safety"

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/bf3786c3-b901-4478-8bba-2808a097615f

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• April 28 Agenda = Public Safety (Police, Fire, Regional Dispatch)
 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-04-28_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf

• Town budget page for FY 2022

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy-22-budget-materials

• My notes from the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/recap-fincomm-budget-hearing-2-042821.html

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit www.Franklinmatters.org/   or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #527 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 (audio)

Recap - FinComm Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 - Public safety

Quick Recap:

• Public safety up for review this evening; Police, Fire, Inspection, and Regional Dispatch
• Police still understaffed vs. FBI stats but at larger staff than in recent years. Takes a newbie a year to get trained and on the street. One reason transfers are preferred if available
• Fire awaiting grant status possible award in Jun/Jul. If awarded, those individuals would be in addition to staff. Only hire paramedic qualified individuals.
• MECC expanding by two more communities (Millis, Mendon) with room for one more (maybe after that).

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #fincom0428

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom0428&src=typed_query

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/6sggWUkqV9YYLy578

The agenda for this meeting can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-04-28_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf 

• Part 2 of the 4 part Budget Hearing by the Finance Committee about to begin at 6:30 PM. Connection info and agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-04-28_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf   #fincom0428
• Full budget doc to follow along on Police budget -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/budget_book_ta_level_fy22_with_page_numbers_v3.pdf  #fincom0428

Police

• P 52 and following covers the Police budget currently at 53 FTE would like to get more to be aligned with similar Community size #fincom0427 1 sargent aligned with 15 patrol personnel; span of control and additional administration would be desirable. Facing retirements
• Possible 2 this year, 4 in mid 2022, senior patrol person always badge #1; incentive to get 9 months notice of retirement, to avoid gap of hiring, training and actually getting to the streets to work #fincom0428 Q on jail diversion program covered by grant joint with Medway
• FBI stats say 1.9 patrol per 1000/population, would run out to about 70. Don't need to be that high just that 53 is light and with increase in population and buildings, the call volume is going up. #fincom0427 It takes a person about a year to get training to hit the streets
• The training and salary package has been an incentive to get transfers in which allows them to get to the streets quicker #fincom0428 chief advocated for parity in the salary package and it has worked well. Cost of body cameras and particularly the storage of the video
• He would prefer to have the body first, also with police reform there are 16 Committees looking at this so why start something now and have to change it out later. #fincom0428 we are not in civil service and happy not to be, able to recruit without it.
• #fincom0428 we are an attractive Community to work for, recent hires are good examples of what we can do. A job posting generates more applications than needed to fulfill a spot. A test is done every 3 years. I love self sponsors. That shows initiative for a job.
• Self sponsors wait for seats, dept sponsors get priority. #fincom0428 

Fire

• Now onto the Fire Dept, refer to pages 57-61. Ambulance billing rates now looked at annually, grant group being very productive. 180 days notice and 90 days actual date notice req'd for retirement
• Refresh the listing of hierarchy every two years, training and reorganization attractive to new hires. We do hire paramedics and prefer to not drop to EMT level #fincom0428 results of SAFER grant due around Jun/Jul. Likely would be additional staff, would have some time
• To start building a budget to support the hires after the grant ran out. The sun, moon and stars may align on this. #fincom0428 looking to stock the 3rd ambulance to be ready if needed. We are ready to go back for a look at ISO 1, not so much a staffing thing, equipment key
• All fee revenue goes into the general fund except for that supporting the enterprise funds #fincom0428 applied again for grant, setting aside approx $600k in case grant doesn't renew. Assume it does, the these funds go to the MECC stabilization fund. There is still room for 1

MECC

• Community to add to the regional dispatch, Millville and Medway Mendon coming on as planned this summer Moving to inspection, pages 64-65  #fincom0428 
• Moving to animal control, a regional agreement with Bellingham, we provide space, they run the program without complaints
• Motion to adjourn, seconded,  passes 9-0
• Back again Thursday for DPW and stormwater among other items! #fincom0428

 

Recap - FinComm Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 - Public safety

FM #489 - Finance Committee Meeting - 03/10/21 - P2 of 3 - public safety (audio)

FM #489 = Welcome. This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 489 in the series. 

This session shares part 2 of the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the Finance Committee members, Town Administrator and key personnel, were in the Council Chambers; the remainder, along with the public, were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just almost three hour meeting into three logical segments:

• First - covers the capital budget discussion and vote to approve (approx. 75 minutes)
• *** Second *** covers the public safety presentations and discussion; the MECC, Fire Dept. and Police Dept. (approx. 67 mins)
• Third - and last but not least a look at the estimate for revenues for the FY 2022 budget. More to come on this as the budget cycle begins in earnest now meeting (approx. 30 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. 

Let’s listen to this segment of the Finance Committee meeting of Mar 10, 2021

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ebddf331-f1ea-432d-864b-601e72d320a4

 

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Agenda doc   
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/revised_fin_com_agenda_complete_1.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/finance-committee-meeting-recap-topics.html 
 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Chief Lynch answers a question during this segment of the meeting

Town of Franklin: Finance Committee - Agenda - March 10, 2021

Finance Committee Meeting
Agenda & Meeting Packet
March 10, 2021 = 6:30 PM

Agenda
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of Minutes
4. FY21 Capital Program Recommendations
5. Public Safety & MECC Discussion

a. Gary Premo - MECC Director

b. Chief TJ Lynch - Franklin Police Chief

c. Chief Jim McLaughlin - Franklin Fire Department

6. FY22 Revenue Projections
7. Future Agenda Items
8. Adjourn

Full agenda doc and meeting packet (with connection info)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/finance_committee_agenda_for_march_10_2021.pdf

The Finance Committee Agenda includes an update from the MECC

'Talk Franklin' with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - 8/14/20 (Audio)

FM #329 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 329 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• Re-opening

• Election

• Recap/set up

• Stormwater - Sep 9 next meeting; 

• #thinkBlueFranklin extension to 8/23

• EDC/ MAPC 

• Aug 20 next meeting, listening sessions scheduled

• MECC grant

• Senior center office hours 8/20

• Councilor Earls leaves for law school

The recording runs about just over an hour, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie. Audio Link = https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Town-Updates-and-News-Reopening--Elections-and-more-ei9f85/a-a2vir6h

 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

'Talk Franklin' with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - 8/14/20 (Audio)