MADISON TOWNSHIP — The new 9-1-1 baby was actually born in October when the new dispatch center went live.
But Capt. Jim Sweat couldn’t wait to show it off to the public for the first time Wednesday.
Joined by elected officials and Jodie Perry, president/CEO of Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office support bureau commander helped cut a red ribbon to “officially open” the county’s new 9-1-1 dispatch center.
It culminated a nearly $3 million process that began almost two years ago to update the county’s emergency communications process, including a remodeled emergency operations center, new digital radio equipment, new communications towers and more.
“It’s extremely fulfilling,” Sweat said after the ribbon was cut by Richland County Commissioner Darrell Banks. “It’s been a long process. If anyone knew where we were and what the facilities were like, the difference is night and day.
“We are extremely proud of where we are at in our new home,” said Sweat, referring to the 9-1-1 center, uniform officers meeting room and public records area.
The dispatch center and other work inside the Peoples Community Center at 597 Park Ave. East cost around $1 million.
The captain praised the efforts of Sheriff Steve Sheldon, county commissioners and county maintenance superintendent Chuck Minnich.
“Chuck was very instrumental in getting this project up and running,” he said.
“It’s not just the upgrade of the facilities, but the (new) creature comforts for the dispatchers, the heating and air conditioning upgrades, brand new hardware and software.
“The (9-1-1) system has been upgraded to the newest, latest and greatest,” Sweat said.
The 9-1-1 dispatch center is authorized for 16 personnel and currently employs 12, according to Sweat.
“We are very excited about the possibility of hiring additional dispatchers,” Sweat said. “The commissioners have approved pay increases for dispatchers and we are using this as a springboard for a new recruitment tool.”
The county’s dispatch center handles at least the start of nearly 100 percent of mobile 9-1-1 calls. Landline calls within a municipality or village may go directly to that community’s safety services forces.
“We dispatch for 12 fire departments and three law enforcement agencies, in addition to the sheriff’s department,” Sweat said.
“One of the important features that we’ve added in the last three years was emergency medical dispatching,” the captain said. “That has been a great tool for us.
“We have been able to provide information to callers before emergency personnel arrive. We have saved multiple lives with that.”
For example, Sweat said, dispatchers can access resources to allow them to offer instructions on CPR, choking, first-aid and more.
Sweat said one of the final steps in the communications improvements, a new tower in Lucas, is moving forward.
“The footers have been poured. We are just waiting for them to be inspected and approved. The next step is the steel for the tower, which should be within the next week or two,” he said.
“We are hoping to be fully operational (with the new tower) in March. And that would include not only public safety, but also the Verizon and other (private) wireless communications.
“That will be huge for the folks in that community,” he said.
