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Wythe County reports broadband progress, EMS inspection pass and new dispatch timeline
Summary
County officials told the Planning Commission that broadband contractor Citizens completed multiple road segments and will add crews in March; EMS passed inspection with one requested HR policy change; a new computer-aided dispatch system is slated to go live around mid-April.
Deputy County Administrator Mr. Henkins told the Planning Commission March 2 that county broadband work is advancing, emergency-medical services recently passed an Office of EMS inspection and the county plans to implement a new computer-aided dispatch system this spring.
On broadband, Mr. Henkins said contractor Citizens completed work on Little Reed Island Road and several nearby lanes and is progressing on numerous additional roads with three crews and plans to double crews in March to speed work. "They report that they have been able to complete Little Reed Island Road including Diamond Lane, Mountain View, Red Maple Lane, and Old Tram Road," Mr. Henkins said. He added Point Broadband has a presence in town along major routes but full county coverage remains in progress.
On emergency services, Mr. Henkins said the county's EMS agency passed its inspection with one recommendation to add a vehicle-usage policy to the HR manual; he praised Chief Greg Frasier and Captain Lindseay Jackson for the inspection outcome. On staffing, he said dispatch is close to budgeted levels but staffing can fluctuate and the county currently has 18 of 22 budgeted dispatch positions filled.
Mr. Henkins said the county expects a new computer-aided dispatch system to go live around the middle of April, with training scheduled in mid-March. "We'll be doing training in the middle of the month and I go live around the middle of April," he said, adding the system should streamline procedures and shorten 911 call progressions.
Mr. Henkins also briefed the commission on a planned Department of Forestry controlled burn of roughly 350 acres in the Big Survey area this spring and updated commissioners that the county's 'Liberty at the Lake' festival, July 3–5, is being planned with fireworks from county property on July 3; the fireworks contractor had inspected sites and staff said biodegradable materials would be used.
No formal actions were taken on these administrative updates; staff will follow up on broadband schedules, EMS policy language and dispatch go-live preparations.
