MOUNT VERON — Mount Vernon Safety-service Director Tanner Salyers said the city is paying attention to his title and is focused on improving employee safety and resident services.
Regarding safety, the administration established a safety commission and committee involving input from department heads.
“Now our department head meetings are more focused. We have been triaging needs in those committees,” Salyers said.
Recent training exercises with the police department include simulating duress situations employees might face and learning how the department responds to a phone call vs. an alarm button.
In the process, officials ensure the physical alarm button locations match the location in police records.
Salyers plans to do ALICE training, which teaches employees how to react in an active shooter or intruder situation. ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate.
Periodic situational training is also planned to increase employee safety and train new employees.
In the area of services, the administration replaced its Data Board and established a Municipal Tech Board.
“We’re working on a lot of implementation with new software,” Salyers explained.
The new software includes NEOGOV software for the auditor’s office and a Civic Rec program that enables residents to reserve park shelters, register for events, and pay for programs online.
“All of these things have to do with the rollout of a new website,” Salyers said.
The rollout is planned for October.
Mount Vernon Fire Department
The MVFD responded to 535 emergency calls in July, bringing the year-to-date total to 3,564.
Chief Chad Christopher said 88% of calls are EMS.
The recent promotion of Joshua Lester to assistant fire chief spurred other promotions. Lt. Benjamin Harrod was promoted to captain, and Brayden Kramp was promoted to lieutenant.
Both started their new roles on Aug. 6.
Around 27 individuals took and passed a recent entrance exam. Interviews started on Tuesday.
“Hopefully, by the end of next week we will move forward with naming three new employees,” Christopher said.
Six employees will start medic school this month. They should finish training around June 1, 2025.
Two more completed medic school; one passed the state exam, and the other is waiting to take it.
Miscellaneous:
• The department installed a new PA system to replace the original one installed in 2000. The new system transmits a lower tone initially and then rises in volume. Christopher said that helps keep heart rates from immediately shooting from 60 to 160 for personnel in the living quarters when a call comes in.
• The department received a Bureau of Workers Compensation equipment grant for $9,500. Christopher plans to buy a ROLLNRACK hose management system.
Mount Vernon Police Department
Capt. Andrew Burns said the department is staying on top of training requirements since recreational marijuana became legal, including in the area of drug-sniffing K-9s.
“We have a lot of support from the county prosecutor and city law director, and Lt. Rex Young is keeping on top of it,” he said.
Additionally, the MVPD receives federal and state updates from Lexipol.
“Having those constant updates is extremely helpful if we need to adjust our policies,” Burns said. “Case law updates help, too.
“It takes a lot of time and a lot of training to stay up-to-date, but if it keeps someone’s rights from being violated or an officer from being sued, you really can’t put a price on it.”
Miscellaneous
• The 1,492 calls the department responded to in the last 30 days included a lot of disturbance, suspicious individuals, and accident reports.
• Interviews are progressing with lateral candidates and new candidates who took a recent entrance exam.
• The department participated in a joint training exercise with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Kenyon College security personnel.
• New software will help the community advocate track cases and enable more specific tracking of resource referrals.
• The department is switching over to new portable radios.
• PAK United events include National Night Out and First Friday. “We’ve seen a good turnout for those and hope to keep growing the program with our community division,” Burns said.
• The MVPD applied for three grants: VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), which will support the community advocate position; a Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) to renew license plate readers; and a JAG for a training simulator.
