911 Board Hires Firm to Conduct Efficiency Study

The Effingham County 911 Board Tuesday hired a firm to conduct a study designed to measure the efficiency of the 911 system.

Intertech Associates of Freehold, New Jersey was the firm hired.  Eight firms submitted proposals.  The low proposal totaled $33,000 but the highest-price proposal totaled $224,000.

The vote was 8-1 with Altamont Fire Chief Jon Becker voting No. 

911 Public Member Norbert Soltwedel said the firm has experience in generating cost savings and some consolidation of systems it has studied.

Becker said after the meeting that he didn't like the $72,000 price tag but also doesn't feel the firm will generate the savings desired by some pursuing the study.  He also said the system as it exists works.

Soltwedel said the New Jersey-based firm will keep in touch with the 911 board until the study is completed by the end of the year.

The Board also discussed how a bridge improved radio communications between law officers during the past month.  There were reports that the quality of communications was better, but that there were still problems in certain parts of the county where reception is worse. 

City Police Chief Mike Schutzbach and Chief Deputy Sheriff John Loy said they would discuss how to maintain the improved communication quality where reception is good and which agency would cover costs.

911 Board members heard that April is 911 Awareness Month and heard about efforts that telecommunicators are making to heighten awareness of the system.