Manteca, Escalon, and Ripon should continue their individual and joint efforts toward combining their dispatching and radio operations so as to be capable of handling the 10 percent annual anticipated growth in the area. The radio system needs several improvements. Co-channel interference must be reduced or removed either by adding CTCSS devices or by moving to another frequency band. A fire radio capability must be added at the dispatch center to back up the current wire line dispatching operation. The Manteca dispatching center and facilities require improvement to support the additional load of Ripon and Escalon. Even without this load, the console should be replaced with a more modern one containing a centralized arrangement of common features and two working positions. The dispatcher functions require two trained persons during the evening and early night hours. The critical nature of fire dispatching precludes a substitute inexperienced dispatcher as a replacement for a trained, experienced dispatcher. The majority of the radio equipment should be replaced over the next few years. The items to be replaced must be keyed to the decision to go to a new band. Manteca must continually investigate cost-effective methods of obtaining competent maintenance and repair services, which should include the development of technical standards for maintenance contract services. Specific data should be prepared for vendor proposal solicitation, and several vendors should be contracted.