Orange County NC Website
~~.~ <br />Chairman Garrett than stated the Board of Commissioners <br />will meet at 7:30 pn the 11th to review the report to be developed, <br />by the Planning Department. <br />Chairman Garrett then called upon Ms. Mary Davidson to <br />present the report of the Emergency Medical Services Council, <br />Ms. Davidson introduced Mr. Dick Beauchaine who delivered <br />the report. Af ter giving a brief histv~y of the Council Mr. <br />Beauchaine then reviewed the proposed Emergency Medical Services <br />Communications System pointing out the new services that will <br />be made available to the general public in the way of access. <br />to the system and also to the rescue squads, fire departments, ...- <br />hospitals and users of the services provided by these agencies. <br />At the conclusion of Mr. Beauchaine's presentation Commissioner <br />Jan Pinney pointed out that one of the principal aims of a system <br />such as this is to provide one number for access to all emergencies <br />on a county wide basis. Because of the multiplicity of telephone <br />companies operating in this county this goal cannot be accomplished <br />for nearly five years. Another aim is to provide central dispatching <br />far all emergency services. As the system is presently proposed <br />it alleges this is so but in reality this is incorrect.' Paid fire. <br />and all police and sheriff dispatch functions are merely passed <br />off to already existing dispatchers. This prevents the system <br />offering any saving to the taxpayers. To make the system cast <br />effective we must incorporate all dispatching Functions into <br />this service. <br />Mr. Tommy Gardners-.member of the Emergency Medical Services <br />Council, reported that the possiblility that some Johnson Foundation <br />funds presently earmarked for telemetry equipment might be .diverted <br />to personnel to help offset the operating cost of the dispatch center. <br />These funds would eventually have to be rep~sced to make the system <br />function as designed. He personally gives his Pull support to the <br />concept of this system and wants to push for full implementation as <br />soon as possible. <br />Commissioner Norman Gustaveson inquired, are local law enforce- <br />ment afficis2s sympathetic to this system? <br />Dr. Tom Greggsresponded that all local law enforcement and paid <br />fire officials are fully.sware of this proposed system, zt is fair <br />to say they are not rushing to lead the movement for its implementation. <br />Mr. Lindsay Efland speaking for the County Association of Fire <br />Chiefs stated they seemed to be in favor of a system such as this <br />however they had net taken a formal position on the proposal at <br />this time. <br />Commissioner Jan Pinney stated he felt the governing boards <br />of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Orange County should <br />meet for the purpose of_ considering this proposal. • <br />Commissioner Norman Walker moved that the County Commissioners <br />approve the design and engineering specification for the system <br />and that the Board authorize the County Manager to proceed with <br />the calling of bids for the specified equipment. <br />Norman Gustaveson seconded the"motion. <br />Mr. Lindsay Efland requested-.the Board-o~'Comniissioners-'delay <br />decisions an this motion for one weeis in order that ha might have <br />the opportunity to review the system design and concept for the <br />rural fire departments. <br />Commissioners Norman Gustaveson and Norman Walker then agreed <br />their motion and second should be withdrawn. <br />The meeting then ad jvurned~`~ `~~~ <br />Flora R. Garrett, Chairman <br />S. M. Gattis, Acting Clerk <br />