Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Emergency management requests communications trailer radio and county probes scope of fire-inspection contract
Summary
Emergency Management Director Cindy Stafford asked commissioners to add a 700/800 MHz radio to the communications trailer (quotes ranged from ~$9,000 for Harris to ~$15,000 for Motorola) and to adjust fuel and equipment line items; commissioners and development staff sought clarity about an existing contract with ESD1 and whether to hire a county fire marshal or continue contracting inspections.
Cindy Stafford, director of Wilson County Emergency Management, told commissioners the communications trailer currently lacks 700/800 MHz capability and requested a capital line item to purchase an interoperable radio. Stafford said one Motorola quote ran about $15,000 while a Harris option would be about $9,000; she asked the court to create or reallocate a small-equipment line for that purpose rather than placing the cost in the fuel bucket.
"If we go with the Motorola, it is—and I'm sorry—these quotes didn't come in until the last minute, but the Motorola radios are 15,000," Stafford said. "If we go with the Harris, they're both interoperable."
Stafford also proposed increasing the vehicle/equipment fuel line to cover additional vehicles and three trailers she now manages, and flagged building-maintenance costs (an upcoming AC replacement) that belong in the building maintenance budget rather than Emergency Management's worksheet.
Development and emergency management staff raised questions about the county's relationship with ESD1 (Emergency Services District 1). Development staff said permits and fire inspections currently route through the development office and that the county lacks internal capacity to track inspection cycles; they said ESD1 had provided a fee schedule and some certified personnel but questioned whether the MOU's scope was still clear. Development staff urged the court to invite ESD1 leadership and present the contract or MOU so the court can confirm responsibilities and any recurring expenses.
"We passed the IFC in the beginning of the year and then, about two months ago, we passed the new fee schedule," development staff said, noting the fee schedule applies to commercial buildings and that the county needs administrative capacity to track inspections.
Commissioners directed staff to obtain the ESD1 contract or invoices and to invite the ESD1 chief to the court to clarify whether inspections and investigations will remain contracted or should be budgeted as a county function (including whether a paid fire marshal position is required).
