-Editorial
The Calexico City Council approved the purchase of a new Fire Department Dispatch Modernization and Station Alerting System Upgrade, approving a $51,340.44 investment aimed at improving the city’s emergency response capabilities during their regular meeting held on Sept. 3rd.
The project will fund the acquisition and installation of a First-In Automated Voice Dispatch (AVD) system, a word editor for dispatch customization, software licenses, project coordination, training, and one year of toll-free technical support valued at $5,166.60. The system will be supplied and installed by Westnet Public Safety Services, which previously provided the fire department’s Heart Saver paging system. Officials said compatibility with existing infrastructure made the purchase a sole-source procurement under the city’s purchasing policy.
City staff noted that the fire department currently relies on an older dispatch system that lacks automated integration, modern mobility, and real-time geographic information system (GIS) functionality. These limitations have required additional oversight by dispatchers, slowed response times, and reduced operational efficiency.
The upgraded AVD system is designed to provide real-time station notifications, reduce reliance on manual dispatcher input, and deliver more accurate and timely alerts to first responders. By streamlining the dispatch-to-incident workflow, the system is expected to enhance coordination, accountability, and response times during emergencies.
The quote for the project, identified as Q-10521-Y3D9 and issued August 15, 2025, outlines costs for equipment, installation, commissioning, testing, and training. The total amount of $51,340.44 falls within the city’s allocated budget of $52,000 from the Local Capital Projects fund. The fire department also plans to coordinate with Imperial County to secure funding for ongoing maintenance and support costs beginning in fiscal year 2026–2027.
Calexico Fire Chief Juan Contreras emphasized that upgrading the dispatch and alerting infrastructure represents a critical investment in public safety. He said the improvements will bring Calexico’s fire response operations in line with modern industry standards, better supporting the department’s mission to provide prompt and effective service to the community.
The council’s decision ensures the project can move forward this fiscal year, with installation and training scheduled to be completed in a single trip. The quote includes prevailing wage rates and a one-year warranty on parts and labor. Any additional trips or modifications outside the scope of the quote would result in added costs.
In other items, the council adopted a Charitable Donation Policy that establishes clear guidelines for allocating annual charitable funds by individual City Councilmembers. The policy authorizes each Councilmember to direct $500 from the City’s General Fund to eligible non-profit organizations or school-affiliated clubs that are either located in Calexico or provide direct benefits to its residents. Its purpose is to ensure donations are made in a structured and transparent manner, while complying with state constitutional requirements that prohibit the use of public funds unless serving a clear public purpose.
Under the adopted policy, City staff will conduct due diligence to confirm that recipient organizations are in good standing, financially stable, and capable of fulfilling the intended purpose of the donation. Donations will be subject to public disclosure and formal approval by the City Council, with findings that the funds provide a tangible benefit to the community. Written Donation Agreements will outline performance expectations, reporting requirements, and auditing provisions. By adopting this policy, the City ensures legal compliance, accountability, and effective support for local programs and services that benefit Calexico residents.
