MOUNT VERNON – Knox County’s 9-1-1 coordinator gave a status report on the county’s new consolidated 9-1-1 system Tuesday morning. Richard Dzik suggested the formation of a 9-1-1 advisory committee to be made up of the local sheriff, police chiefs, fire chiefs, the EMA director and one of the county commissioners. Commissioner Roger Reed asked whether a member of the public could be included. Commissioner Teresa Bemiller says the committee is supposed to be a way for first responders to come together if there are any issues with the system.
Dzik says another step in the county’s technology upgrade is to have all the safety forces use digital radios. The plan is to have the digital radios in place by December 1, 2015. It is hoped that police, fire and sheriff’s departments will able to apply and obtain grant money to pay for the radios. Dzik says 9-1-1 can’t pay for the radios nor lend money for them.
An invitation only open house is planned for September 8 of the county’s new dispatch center now located in the basement of the county administration building on East High Street in Mount Vernon.
