911 director warns of staffing shortfall; county signs off on EMPG grant and seeks EMS camera quotes

Randolph County 911 Director Chris Shaneyfeld told commissioners the dispatch center was operating with multiple vacancies — four full‑time openings at the time of the meeting — and that one new hire was due to start soon but would not yet be fully trained. Shaneyfeld said one dispatcher was on expected medical leave soon and that part‑time staff and trainees were temporarily covering shifts.

Shaneyfeld said he had submitted the 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) salary‑reimbursement application (an estimated $18,000 for Randolph County) and asked commissioners to sign off on the submission; the board approved the request by motion and voice vote. The director said he planned to buy an AI‑enabled quality‑assurance and call‑capture program that would integrate with the CAD and radio systems to transcribe calls and highlight training needs; funding for that purchase may come from an unencumbered account if necessary.

Separately, commissioners discussed security camera installation at EMS stations after receiving a quote from Security Automation Systems to install external cameras and an on‑site recorder at the Farmland station. Commissioners asked staff to gather additional quotes for a firewall and network switch, to ensure all EMS stations run on consistent policies and hardware, and to return pricing and a recommended standard operating procedure at the next meeting.

Ending: Commissioners approved the EMPG application and directed staff to return comprehensive quotes and policy recommendations on EMS camera/surveillance upgrades at the next meeting.