911 gets call for $30,000 grant
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In answering 911 calls, dispatchers use an array of advanced technologies, such as computer-assisted dispatch, digital mapping and location technologies to direct response from local fire, police or ambulance service.
The Rural Dispatcher Assistance Grant was created by the State 911 Board to address the unique financial challenges facing the state?s rural emergency communications districts. These districts, because of their small population, generally have fewer sources to obtain needed financial support.
The funds for the grant come from surcharges levied on all wireless telephones statewide, and the grant program is designed to make sure rural counties have adequate emergency services regardless of the surcharge amount collected from within their boundaries.
Local E911 director Chuck Haston says this grant is a great resource for Warren County.
?This is something that we apply for yearly,? Haston said. ?We actually got this last year as well. What this does is allow us to hire additional employees, or it can go toward things like overtime, anything that would enhance our ability to staff the 911 center.?
Haston says all the state?s 911 districts have access to these funds, but they must apply for the grants to receive the funds, which Warren County has done and will continue to do.
?If you take the time to do it, you usually get it,? Haston said. ?It helps us out tremendously. In addition to that, we get a grant each year of $10,000 to go toward mapping maintenance. That?s something we?ve gotten the last two years also. Like the other grant, you have to apply for it and you have to meet certain criteria.
?For example, we recently installed an updated mapping system that we?ve had some successes with. And in order to qualify for the state grant, you have to have a certain level of capability,? Haston said. ?It really revolves around cellphone plotting, and with this new system, that qualified us for reimbursement for the system, and also the $10,000 a year to help keep up the mapping data.?
Haston says the grants have been a big help at budget time.
?It saves us from having to increase the burden from city and county government,? Haston said. ?We go in flat every year as far as what we request from the city and county. I think we were one of the few that went in without an increase this year. We get $122,500 from both the city and county government, and we?ve maintained that level for the last three years or so, in part because of what we?ve been able to recover from these grant programs.?
?The State 911 Board is pleased to assist Warren county and other rural 911 districts like it with needed funds to help support their operations,? said Randy Porter, chairman of the State Board. They are at the front-line when dealing with all emergency situations. Many districts, such as Warren County, are faced with financial burdens not confronted by more populated urban areas.?