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Choctaw County approves advertising for full-time 911 dispatchers after loss of longtime employee
Summary
The 911 director said the county lost longtime dispatcher Billy Gardner and the commission authorized advertising for one or more full-time dispatchers to restore two-dispatcher coverage per shift required for EMD calls.
Choctaw County—s 911 director told the commission Oct. 7 that the department lost longtime dispatcher Billy Gardner and asked permission to advertise for one or more full-time dispatchers. The commission authorized the director to advertise, with the expectation the director will return with candidate recommendations at the Nov. meeting.
The director said the county is still pursuing a goal of having two dispatchers per shift because Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification requires two trained staff on duty for certain calls. After Gardner—s death, two shifts are covered by only one dispatcher, the director said. The director asked for authority to advertise so the county could recruit replacements; commissioners agreed and directed the director to present applicants at the November meeting for consideration contingent on available funding.
The 911 director also raised operational concerns about ButlerFest vendor placement and courthouse closure, asking that a clear lane be preserved so dispatchers can change shifts during the festival. The director said she typically coordinates arrangements with festival organizers each year and will do so again.
A motion to allow the 911 director to advertise for one or more full-time dispatchers carried on a voice vote.
