DANIELSON, Conn. -- Emergency communications workers in Danielson don't technically work in a closet, but it's close enough.

In a tiny room on the second floor of the state police barracks at Troop D in Danielson sits a dedicated staff of emergency operators with a huge task.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Kevin Hogan reported 17 people work at the Quinebaug Valley's 911 Center, which covers the state's growing northeast region. The current center is located at state police Troop D.

The center can't move, however, until state officials approve bonding money for a larger space.

The communications specialists oversee the emergency needs of 17 towns, answering more than 33,000 calls last year.

"We've used every inch of space we possibly can here," said John Don Francisco, the Quinebaug Valley 911 manager.

On a typical day, four people fill the room -- three dispatchers and a manager.

The center's air conditioning runs all year round, 24/7.

"We just don't have the space to operate. We can't move, can't spread our materials that we need," Francisco said. "The noise level is growing and growing. Someone's on a 911 call and we're trying to make an administrative call, talk to the public, answer the radio, it tends to get noisy."

The unit plans to move, but the funding is hung up in Hartford, Hogan said. What's next comes a bonding appropriation request of about $2.9 million, which was approved by General Assembly in 2007. The request awaits approval from the State Bonding Commission.

"We've outgrown our space. We need some room to expand and serve the public," Francisco said. "In a way, I believe they expect us to."

More Information

Link: Quinebaug Valley Emergency Communications