CHICOPEE, Mass. - Local leaders said a new Emergency Communications Center for WESTCOMM Regional Dispatch will provide faster and more efficient services for Western Massachusetts residents.

The current facility is located inside the Chicopee Public Safety Complex.

"We're excited to be moving into a new facility," said Av Resnick,  midnight shift supervisor for WESTCOMM Regional Dispatch, said. "We're kind of in a smaller space right now so this is not only going to be great for the dispatchers but also the public that we're serving. It's going to give us more technology and space to do our job."

WESTCOMM began it's 911 dispatch services with the Chicopee Police and Fire Departments back in 2019 and has continued to expand into other cities and towns since.

The Chicopee Fire Department said the new facility, which will be located at the old Salter College building in Chicopee, which was made possible through significant funding from the state 911 Department. 

"We have about four or five dispatchers per shift," Resnick said. "We handle 911 and non-emergency calls for five cities and towns. Chicopee, Longmeadow, Monson, Ware, East Longmeadow, and we also do the Hampden County Sheriff's Department. So we're talking about 45,000 911 calls per year." 

Chicopee Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski said WESTCOMM has been a great help over the years by increasing their staff and allowing the department to open up a second Chicopee location in Aldenville.

Chicopee Police Chief Patrick Major said the new facility will have advanced equipment and systems designed to have better communication and faster response times.

Both officers said WESTCOMM is a vital part of community safety for Western Mass.

"For the police department, It gave us 9 extra people to have out on the street, and it continues some of our community programs," said Chicopee Police Chief Patrick Major.  "Our C3 initiatives in out in Chicopee Center and in Willimansett and also allowed us to expand our training department by an officer."

Chief Major said renovations for the new building should be completed around spring of next year. 

He mentioned there will also be employment opportunities at the new site for people interested as well.