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Board moves toward $400,000 regional 911 modernization; authorizes ambulance purchase and local 911 upgrades
Summary
Wood County officials said July 22 they will pursue nearly $400,000 in regional 9-1-1 modernization funds, and the board authorized an ambulance purchase, upgraded recording equipment and staffing changes at the 9-1-1 center.
Wood County officials told the Board of Supervisors on July 22 they have won state and regional support to standardize 9-1-1 dispatch systems, and the county will seek local approvals to accept grant awards and move forward with equipment and staffing changes.
County staff said regional awards will provide nearly $400,000 for Wythe County (described in the meeting as Wyndham/Wythe interchangeably) and more than $1 million for the broader region to enable CAD data transfers and update dispatch systems; staff said the state would issue formal award letters within about 10 business days. The board agreed to bring the grant acceptance back at the board's first August meeting once award letters are received.
Separately, staff asked the board to authorize purchasing a medics ambulance and entering into a purchase agreement so the county can meet Rescue Squad Assistance Fund deadlines. Staff said the state share covers up to $270,740.40; the county will provide the local match. The board directed staff to proceed with the purchase process.
The board also authorized procurement with Carolina Recordings to replace worn recording equipment for radio and 9-1-1 phone call archiving; staff said the vendor could transfer licenses under the county’s current procurement at a lower cost than using the state cooperative contract.
On staffing, a county staff member reported the 9-1-1 center currently has 12 of 21 budgeted positions filled and said several candidates are in hiring pipelines, with one starting next week and others in background checks. The county requested authorization to reclassify titles and advertise a part-time assistant to help oversee the center and to add a senior-shift position; the board approved advertising the position and the staffing adjustments.
No vote to accept the regional CAD grant was finalized on July 22 pending receipt of written award notices, but the board approved the ambulance procurement authorization, the Carolina Recordings procurement request, and the staffing adjustments.
