At the Oct. 25 study session, Sumner City Council continued discussion of the update to its 911 communications system.

The update would make Sumner’s system compatible with other jurisdictions in the area, which use 800 megahertz. Sumner uses very high frequency for its communications. Bonney Lake made the transition to 800 megahertz this year.

Council examined a draft of an agreement between the city of Puyallup and Sumner regarding emergency dispatch services. Under the agreement Sumner would cease dispatch operations within Sumner and calls would be routed through Puyallup’s emergency communications center.

Concern arose during the public comment section at a council meeting when a citizen said Sumner’s emergency dispatch is proven to be reliable and wondered what a change would do to effectiveness and safety.

During the study session on Oct. 25, City Administrator Diane Supler told council emergency fire calls in Sumner are already transferred to Lakewood and the service is reliable.

Under the agreement with Puyallup a primary dispatcher or dispatchers are to be assigned to service Sumner and police department dispatch services are to be 24 hours each day.

Puyallup is responsible for maintenance costs once the agreement is official.