TRUMBULL COUNTY Insurer reluctant to replace 911 gear

FEMA might pay for the equipment if the county's insurance policy won't.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners are preparing to borrow $800,000 to replace flood-damaged 911 equipment that their insurance company has so far been reluctant to cover.
United National Insurance Co. has so far offered only to refurbish the telephone and radio equipment, a process that would cost $90,000, local officials say.
In the meantime, for the last three months 911 dispatchers have been using radios that occasionally blink out and fry circuit boards, and phone lines that mysteriously light up.
"There are a lot of times we lose communications," said Joe Consiglio, Weathersfield Township police chief, at a meeting of police chiefs and 911 board members. "It is a major concern. It keeps you up at night."
Commissioners say they still hope the insurance company will cover the cost of replacing equipment, not just refurbishing it. Officials have been bickering with the county's insurer for months over the issue, but until two weeks ago believed that the equipment would be replaced, said 911 director Tim Gladis.
Considering suing
At the meeting Wednesday, commissioners said they are ready to just go out and buy the equipment, and if necessary sue the insurance company to cover the bill.
As much as 75 percent of the county's out-of-pocket costs could be picked up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, officials say.
Commissioners say they will talk this week with a lawyer who deals with bond issues, and could vote on the matter Wednesday. It would be at least 90 more days before the equipment arrives and is put in service, said 911 director Tim Gladis.
The companies selling the equipment, Sprint and Motorola, both recommend replacement, as did an assessor from the local offices of Gallagher Pipino Inc., which sold the county its policy. But a consultant sent by United National Insurance Co. -- a secondary insurer, who covers Gallagher Pipino from excess loss -- said the equipment can be fixed.
Gladis says he plans to complain to state regulatory agencies about the length of time the insurance company has been taking and its reluctance to replace the critical equipment.
"We see no urgency on their part," he said.
Controversial purchase
The decision to buy insurance from Gallagher Pipino in the first place was controversial. In 2001, commissioners James Tsagaris and Joseph Angelo voted to switch from to the company from CORSA, an insurance cooperative run by Ohio counties.
A consultant hired by commissioners to analyze the deal recommended against the switch. Commissioner Michael O'Brien voted against giving a one-year contract to Gallagher in 2001, and voted against it again when it came up for renewal in 2002.
If the county had stayed with CORSA, it would have already received a check, he said.
siff@vindy.com