By Steve Shoup Journal Staff Writer Rio Rancho is taking steps toward what officials hope will be compatible computer and dispatch systems for fire, rescue and police departments among the city, Corrales and Sandoval County. Police, fire and rescue officials in Rio Rancho and Corrales plan to pool some state and federal grants to buy new computer-aided dispatch system and later add a network system that would send information to laptop computers in patrol cars and emergency vehicles. A main computer will be housed in Rio Rancho but connected to Corrales. The computer system will make it easier for dispatchers to track officers in the field and to log records of fires and police calls, said Michael Baker, deputy chief of the Rio Rancho Department of Public Safety. The city needs the new system because of the city's growth, Baker said.
Officials have the money now for that.
Later, officials hope to add the network laptop system. The Rio Rancho City Council this week approved funds to buy the computer-aided dispatch system and for training dispatchers in its use. The effort must still be approved by the Corrales Village Council, which is expected to consider it later this month, Baker said. Baker said the city and the village want to share the new system, which will save both agencies money. The cooperation on the new dispatch and existing records systems also could lead eventually to cooperation among the village, the city and the county on the network laptop system.