County dispatch switches to computer-based medical dispatching; NG9-1-1 grant timeline discussed

County emergency dispatchers went live with a computer-based medical-dispatch protocol called Total Response the week before the May 2 committee meeting, officials said, and staff reported preliminary success with the new system.

Emergency management staff told the committee the switch replaces an older ATCO paper-based system and brings medical-, fire- and law-enforcement protocols to computer screens for dispatchers to click through. “We did go live with Total Response on Wednesday,” an emergency management representative said, adding that the county has seen “a few successful uses” and is working through normal “growing pains.”

The committee also discussed the NG9-1-1 (next-generation 9-1-1) grant cycle. John (staff member) said the 2026 NG9-1-1 grant information is expected from the state around June, with a 30–45 day application window to follow. Staff said the grant is closely tied to sheriff’s department projects and that a representative from the sheriff’s office should participate in grant meetings during the application period.

Staff said the county will need to assemble grant details, GIS inputs and project priorities promptly once state guidance arrives. “The next grant is gonna be starting here soon,” John said, and he thanked peers for work on the GIS portion of earlier grant applications.

The committee discussed the requirement that any agency seeking grant funds must meet state certification for emergency dispatch protocols, and staff emphasized coordination between MIS, emergency management and the sheriff’s office to finalize applications.