By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
911 Director Michael Simmons updated the Tucker County Commission on the completion of the Communication Center’s required training and certifications. The completion of the five required courses the week of February 19th, will bring the 911 Center into compliance with State regulations for the first time in memory, according to Simmons. When asked by Tucker County Commission President Mike Rosenau how many years the Center had been out of compliance, Simmons said he was unsure, but it occurred well before he became Director. “I don’t think they were ever in compliance,” Simmons said.
According to Simmons, the Center received leniency from the State because it was brought to their attention by Simmons. “They could have shut us down,” Simmons said.
Rosenau concurred. “If they would have found it in one of their audits, they would have shut us down,” Rosenau said.
As a result of the lapse in certification, Simmons had obtained certification as a trainer and has spent the last few months training his staff and obtaining the required certifications to bring the center into compliance with the State. “We were out of compliance at the 911 Center in training,” Rosenau said. “Certification has to be (done) so we can keep the 911 Center open. Our dispatchers have to complete these certifications in order for them to be qualified to be a dispatcher.”
Four of the five required courses have been completed, according to Simmons. “We’re through four disciplines now,” Simmons said. “Everyone just finished their Law Enforcement Communication Certification.”
With the expected completion of the Fire course the week of February 19th, Simmons said the Center will be in full compliance of State regulation. “The only one we have left is Fire and it begins Monday. Its a 40 hour course. We are going to try and rotate both shifts in and out so that hopefully by the end of next week, we will be fully certified in all five disciplines.”
According to Simmons, the completion of all five disciplines comes in time for the second half of an audit by the State. A year ago, Simmons had notified the State that the center was not in compliance with the necessary training and certifications. “Where we called and notified them that we had lapsed on things last year,” Simmons said. “The come in, they set us all up, gave us the tools to get it done and she comes back at the end of a one year period to make sure we are still in compliance. We’re operating the way she wants.”
Rosenau acknowledged Simmons’ initiative. The courses cost $3,000 a person online, according to Simmons, but if he instructs the course, the cost drops to $120 a manual. The Center currently has eight full time and several part time employees, Simmons said. Rosenau thanked Simmons for saving the County thousands of dollars in training costs. “You took the initiative to take the training courses to offer most of these trainings,” Rosenau said. “So the thousands of dollars you’ve saved 911, the Commission wants to thank you for that.”
Simmons said the staff will have to re-certify every two years via an online test.
The next meeting of the Tucker County Commission will be held on Wednesday, February 28th at 4 p.m. at the Tucker County Courthouse Old Courtroom in Parsons.
