San Gabriel joins Verdugo dispatch system

Amber Willard

BURBANK -- San Gabriel is the newest addition to the Verdugo

Communications Center, started 15 years ago by Burbank, Glendale and

Pasadena.

San Gabriel is the ninth city to join the 911 system, which has

computer-aided dispatching that connects all of the areas. By linking to

the system, San Gabriel will also help pay for the $1.7-million annual

operation cost. The nine cities split the costs on the basis of size and

number of calls.

San Gabriel will pay about $75,000 annually to support its share of

the system, officials said.

Burbank pays about 25% percent of the annual operation cost, the least

of the three founding cities.

Fire officials said Verdugo dispatch helps the member departments

respond to needs of the others more quickly and efficiently.

Other contract cities are Arcadia, Monrovia, San Marino, Sierra Madre

and South Pasadena.

The center is housed at a fire station in Glendale.