PARIS – The Oxford County Regional Communications Center personnel have lots of technology at their hands, but officials say they don’t have the manpower to implement it.

County commissioners have denied the center’s request for $10,686 in the 2007 budget to make the center’s clerk a full-time position, said James P. Miclon, director of the center.

Had the money been approved, the person would have spent several hours per week programming new software to aid county law enforcement and rescue officials, Miclon said.

The center communicates with the county’s 32 fire departments, nine police departments and nine rescue services.

County law enforcement and rescue agencies use the Spillman software, which allows for easier communication and data keeping among the agencies, said Lt. Edward Quinn, who handles the technology for the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office.

The software is available in different modules, Quinn said. Oxford County has programming to help with hazardous material response and information, a mapping system and premise information, which would include any hazards existing at someone’s residence.

The software was attained through grant money in May 2006.

However, the county does not have the man-hours to code the programs, Miclon said. He added that it’s like having a new car, which they can play with in the driveway but can’t take it into the street because they can’t afford insurance.

The person doing the coding must already be trained in the Spillman software, so the center can’t use a volunteer to do it, Quinn said.

If they had the software coded, Miclon said, once a report of a house fire came in they could gather information such as the nearest fire hydrant or fire pond, hazardous materials in the home, and how to deal with emergencies regarding any hazards. This information would be faxed to the correct department “before the first truck left the station,” Miclon said.