The ordinance, set to be passed Tuesday, hands over the dispatchers’ responsibility for non-emergency 911 calls to Monmouth County 911 dispatch services in Freehold.

Though the ordinance will go into effect April 1, it’s no April fool’s joke to the dispatchers and their supporters. In fact, there are factions of residents and emergency service providers who have staunchly rejected the change. Their objections: loss of employment security for the dispatchers, confusion over directions via county routing and inefficiency of radio frequencies.

In addition, a number of residents are under the impression that this is a dramatic change designed to revamp an entire borough-controlled dispatch system.

But according to the borough, this is not the case.

"Many don’t realize that 911 emergency calls have been handled by the county since 1992. We’re just passing an ordinance now to include non-emergency calls," said Tinton Falls Borough Administrator Anthony J. Muscillo.

"In fact, we’re cutting out an additional step in implementing this system across the board. Residents can still call the Tinton Falls Police Department," he added. "In reality, we’re just changing the physical seat of the dispatcher."

Opponents don’t share that sentiment. The general feeling is that because the town is so large, there are many shortcuts and street names with similar names that could easily get confused by an unfamiliar operator, decreasing efficiency in response time.

Borough officials feel that the emergency response records speak for themselves, showing that county dispatch of 911 emergency response has met the high standards sought by residents since 1992. They say there’s no reason the county’s handling of non-emergency calls wouldn’t measure up, as emergency protocol is certainly more demanding and it’s been filtered through the county for eight years.

Also at issue is the anticipated monetary savings to the town. Muscillo said the switchover will save Tinton Falls an estimated $150,000 to $175,000 per year. Those who object to the elimination of non-emergency dispatch services counter that the savings is minimal per resident.

When asked if the borough would provide the dispatchers with assistance in securing replacement jobs, Muscillo said all six dispatchers were offered a similar position with the county.

The objection some opponents have with the county’s offer is that the estimated cut in pay is as much as $15,000. The average annual income for dispatchers in Tinton Falls is $38,000 to $40,000, while the county’s offer is for $25,000.

One Tinton Falls dispatcher recently accepted a position with another municipality, Muscillo said.

A few of the borough’s fire companies argue that the change will disrupt the efficiency of radio frequencies due to a lack in proximity to county dispatch headquarters. They fear that dispatch efforts will be interrupted by neighboring radios.

The borough has offered to purchase new crystals for those affected radios/pagers to remedy potentially faulty frequencies.

Fire company officials were unavailable for comment as of press time.