The Daviess County Central 9-1-1 Board looked into the Text-Caster website service, purchased a new mapping program, and authorized transfers by On-Star during their regular meetings held on Aug. 28 and Sept. 27.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
Dan Lockridge made a presentation to the board concerning the web-based program Text-Caster. He stated that since the Virginia Tech shootings, the main complaint is that there is no good system for schools to notify citizens of a critical incident occurring.
Text-Caster is designed to get information to the public. The website sends text messages to subscribers concerning incidents in the area. He thought Daviess County Central should consider signing up to be one of the clients so that a subscriber could opt into the service. He advised that Putnam County 9-1-1 was currently a client of Text-Caster.
Supervisor Dana Carter contacted Putnam County about the Text-Caster web service, and spoke to another dispatcher about it. Putnam County agreed to be Daviess County Central’s test agency for the service. Mrs. Carter will contact them in a few months for their findings.
The board purchased a new state-of-the-art mapping program being offered by their present mapping company, Geo-Comm, at an approximate cost of $6,500.
The board also agreed to purchase mapping layers for Phase I and Phase II wireless. The cost of those layers was about $5,400 which could be paid over three years. The board agreed to continue the maintenance contract, which was also up for renewal for $18,000 payable over three years.
The updates, new software and maintenance were all put on a three year payment plan.
On-Star requested that 9-1-1 be able to transfer a caller directly to a Daviess County Central PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) for assistance. Stacen Gross from Geo-Comm indicated that most PSAPs were allowing it. The board agreed with Stacen’s opinion, and the paperwork authorizing the transfers will be forwarded to On-Star.
At the Aug. 28 meeting, it was announced in the hallway of the Daviess County Courthouse that the tax rate hearing was beginning.
There was no response from any citizens. After discussion, the board moved to have the tax rate remain as is.
The August meeting treasurer’s report was accepted with bills of $7,141.22, revenue of $21,990.55 and a checkbook balance of $51,441.03.
Present at the August meeting were Larry Belshe, John Sullenger, Daniel Skinner and Gene Walker. Also present were dispatchers Tammy Jones and Kerri Lee-Sterneker, Supervisor Dana Carder and Dan Lockridge from Farmers Bank.
The Sept. 27 treasurer’s report was accepted with bills of $5,392.04, revenue of $32,688.17 and a checkbook balance of $65,239.93.
The last 9-1-1 Community Education Booth for the year was at Pattonsburg on Oct. 7.
The board changed their meeting time to 7 p.m., beginning with the October meeting.
During board member comments, Gene Walker reminded dispatchers that all agencies be requested to switch to their private frequencies when able, and not to just single out one or two agencies.
Larry Belshe said he had spoken to Kyle McBroom about all the work he was to have completed in the 9-1-1 office, and had given him 30 days to complete the work. Mr. McBroom said he had all the items ordered.
Present at the September meeting were Larry Belshe, John Sullenger, Misse Tolen, Troy Souders, Gene Walker and Mark Richards. Also present were dispatchers Tammy Jones, Marjorie Barlow and Supervisor Dana Carder.
The above is a compilation of the unapproved minutes of the Daviess County Central 9-1-1 Board’s regular meetings held on Aug. 28 and Sept. 27.