Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center Director Steve Hooke, Police Chief Matthew Stone and Fire Chief Michael Cassidy announce that HRECC will be adding the Holliston Police and Fire Departments to its list of partner agencies.
The HRECC and the Town of Holliston have entered into an Inter-Municipal Agreement for HRECC to answer 911 calls and provide dispatch services for Holliston’s public safety departments.
“We welcome the Holliston Police and Fire Departments, and look forward to growing our relationship with Chief Stone, Chief Cassidy, and their staff,” Director Hooke said.
HRECC will assume dispatch responsibility for police, fire, and EMS 911 calls on Thursday, Dec. 28.
The Town agreed to join HRECC after studying several options including creating a new regional communications center with several surrounding communities.
“We are pleased to enter this partnership with HRECC, which will greatly enhance our communications,” Chief Stone said. “Having access to increased personnel during busy periods can only improve our response times.”
“The safety and overall well-being of our community is our number one priority. I am confident that HRECC will aid us greatly in continuing that effort,” Chief Cassidy said.
HRECC has received a $14.1 million grant from the State 911 Department to be used for transition funding for Holliston and the towns of Rockland, Abington, Sherborn, and Norwood, the most recent communities to join.
The grant, known officially as the FY24 Regional Public Safety Answering Point and Regional Secondary Public Safety Answering Point and Regional Emergency Communications Center Development Grant, covers the annual assessment fees for towns in their first three years partnering with the center, with partial coverage of assessment fees in years four and five.
The grant also will cover the cost of new security and equipment for the Holliston departments.
HRECC serves 12 departments across Norfolk, Plymouth and Middlesex counties. HRECC also serves the Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team and the Fire District 4 Control Point.