Rochelle Park is making a major change to its emergency response system, a decision that's divided township officials and emergency responders.

The township committee voted Wednesday night to approve a measure that will transfer 911 dispatch services to Bergen County. Once the transition is complete, 911 calls placed in Rochelle Park will no longer be answered by local dispatchers, but by personnel at the county level.

Mayor Thomas Miller said the shared services agreement is expected to save taxpayers more than $3 million.

“Responsible shared services can help control long-term costs while maintaining the services residents rely on,” Miller said. “This proposal is not just about saving money. It also improves emergency communication through larger staffing support, upgraded technology, built-in back up systems.”

However, Rochelle Park’s police chief and emergency management coordinator both raised concerns about the change.

“Local dispatchers provide invaluable service in that they are very familiar with the residents, the businesses, the local stores, the schools, the apartment complexes within the township,” Pinto said. “Versus up in the county, there’s no familiar person out there.”

The pair warned that removing local dispatchers could impact first responders' ability to save lives.

“It’s going to make a hard job even that much more difficult,” said Emergency Management Coordinator Pete Donatello. “The first responders are not going to get that accurate information to pinpoint where we need to be in a hurry.”

The transition also involves changes beyond who answers emergency calls.

According to Chief Pinto, the township will no longer maintain 24/7 staffing at its police station once dispatch services are moved, which could affect a range of services currently available to residents.

“No more of that 24/7, 365. We’re no longer considered a safe haven,” Pinto said. “People can drop off a newborn baby to a police department only if it’s staffed 24/7, 365. We’ll no longer have that, and a multitude of other services will be lost.”

Mayor Miller told News 12 that dispatchers currently employed by the township will be guaranteed employment opportunities as the transition takes place, and that local police, fire, and emergency medical services will remain in place.

Despite those assurances, though, opposition to the move extends beyond public safety officials.

Some residents have organized an effort to bring the decision to a public vote.

“I think this is too big of a decision for the town council to make themselves,” said resident Matthew Mooney. “I started a petition to make a referendum vote to get put on the ballot in November to leave this decision up to the town.”

Other residents questioned whether the projected cost savings justify the potential risks.

"What’s more important? Saving a buck or saving a life? Let’s be honest,” said long-time resident and retired firefighter Richard Vitale.