By Stephen Smoot
They are the voice on the other end of the line, whether they talk to first responders or to those likely experiencing the worst or the most frightening time in their lives. Few police and fire action shows talk about them, save the television program franchise literally called “911.”
They are telecommunicators and their mission in life, in too many emergency cases, is to save the lives of others.
Commissioner Roger Dahmer opened the Pendleton County Commission meeting with the customary invocation, praying that “we thank You for your love and blessings” before attendees rose for the Pledge of Allegiance.
The commissioner then read the proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
He opened with “whereas emergencies that require police, fire, or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) can occur at any time.” The document also explained that “the safety of our police officers, firefighters, and EMS is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who contact the Pendleton County 911 Emergency Communications Center.”
His reading also shared that “each dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding, and professionalism during the performance of their job.”
Along the same lines, Rick Gillespie gave a brief report on the response to the Buffalo Hill wildfire. “Everything went well on that,” he stated, adding that it took one day to get it under control. “Then the forest service came in and mopped it up.”
Next came updates on county facility construction projects. Karen Pitsenbarger, Pendleton County administrator, shared that the generator for the new courthouse annex had arrived and was ready to install.
“It looks good out front,” noted Carl Hevener, commission president.
Gillespie later provided information on county and state offices migrating from the community building to the new General Services Building. The West Virginia University Extension Service Office will likely move in next week.
A wave of moves will take place towards the end of May. Completed by that point will be “new spaces for the Pendleton County Public Service District office in the former school office spaces on the main floor.” West Virginia Division of Forestry and Department of Natural Resources wildlife offices will move in mid-June at the latest.
“The work for PSD and the state offices has included replacement of an old wall of metal and glass with a newly constructed wall finished with new windows and fiber cement siding intended to last for many years,” explained Gillespie. He then added that “this work will increase the efficiency of those spaces.”
The DNR police relocated from the community building to one of the former classrooms as temporary space but they will eventually have two new offices and a storage room.
Gillespie concluded with sharing that the Pendleton County Office of Emergency Management has taken possession of their space and “will be using the new Emergency Operations Center for a regional full scale exercise to be conducted throughout the Eastern Panhandle on April 15.”
Mike Alt, training officer from Pendleton County Emergency Rescue, and Gillespie discussed with the commission the possible impact of state EMS aid. Three types of aid will go to counties. One category will be split among all 55 counties with another among all counties that have levy or fee revenues dedicated for EMS. This does not include counties such as Pendleton that have allocated portions of their budget in place of a levy or a fee.
A final category of aid will be available for counties willing to offer a 30 per cent match. Alt stated that “$118,000 is what I expect us to get.” He added that “the most I see us coming out with is $145,000.”
Some details remain in flux. Counties with a demonstrated challenge in recruiting EMS workers, which Alt has regularly documented to the commission, may get access to more funds.
Gillespie bemoaned state and elected officials who “look at the state with a flat map.” He explained that “Wirt County is a pin dot on the map,” but gets the same support as Pendleton due to population. The topography is low lying hills as opposed to 3,000-foot ridges bisecting the landscape in Pendleton, and Wirt is less than half the size at 235 square miles against 700.
Commissioners heard that a new State law will come into effect on June 12. It requires geolocation on short-term rentals to determine the proper county to which they should pay hotel-motel tax. Those revenues are used by county convention and visitors bureau offices to measure the tourism economy. Part of those funds also support CVB operations.
