The Owen County Board of Commissioners approved the 9-1-1 board’s recommendation to hire Deborah Simmons as the county’s 9-1-1 director by a unanimous vote.

Commissioners and 9-1-1 board members said Simmons brings 24 years of dispatch experience, including supervisory roles and recent service in Putnam County. The board also praised the short-term consultant engagement brought to the county to assist with operations, training and recruitment; the consultant (referred to in the meeting as Dave) will continue working with the center as a mentor and advisor.

Commission remarks and the 9-1-1 board’s report highlighted chronic staffing shortages, solo-shift risk and training shortfalls; the consultant said the county needs quality-assurance review, standardized call-question protocols and training, and two supervisory positions to support the director. The consultant said audits should ensure dispatchers meet state training standards and recommended phased implementation of established dispatch question sets and mutual-aid box cards for fire departments.

Commissioners recorded appreciation for current dispatch staff and emphasized the county’s responsibility to provide leadership and tools. The appointment passed by voice vote; the board directed staff to prepare new-employee paperwork and to coordinate onboarding and training with the consultant and the new director.