911 Needs More Than Handshake Agreement; Consultant Also Recommends a Primary and a Backup Dispatching Point

Those concerned with the 911 system in Effingham County heard Wednesday morning that the system should be operated under more than just a "handshake agreement" and that one individual should manage the operation.

Lisa Weinthal of Intertech Associates is Project Director for the Effingham County study, which was requested by the County 911 Board to make sure of the efficiency of the system.

(LISA WEINTHAL)

Weinthal said the effective operation of the system is currently dependant on co-operation of the individuals overseeing the operation; there's not enough in writing to insure proper operation.  She said changes in those who oversee the operation now could potentially result in damage to its operation without proper guidelines in place.

Weinthal also suggested the 911 Board should look at putting some geographic distance between the two dispatching points, mentioning the possibility that a tornado could hit downtown and take out both points.  Suggestions include moving the county PSAP location to a more secure part of the sheriff's department, or adding onto the County Emergency Operations Center off South Banker, or checking on space available in the State Police headquarters on South Banker.

Weinthal said the best option would be a new stand-alone facility, but agreed that is also likely to be the most costly.  She suggested some of the recommended changes would take place over a period of years and understands that funding is tight.  As a way to generate revenue, she suggested talks with other agencies and with neighboring counties as to whether the local 911 could handle those services for a fee.

Weinthal said that first responders she talked with in preparing the study indicated that they are satisfied with the services they are receiving.

The study also recommends a primary dispatching point and a backup point, which Weinthal said would lessen the amount of management personnel needed and assurance of standardized operation.