Orange County NC Website
CI: <br />[J ~ .I <br />The Chairman recognized William Blue, from the County Attorney's <br />Office, who is to address the Board z•egarding the 911 Emergency Med~.cal <br />Service Telephone•.Number and the Southern Bell Telephone office. <br />Mr. Blue informed the Board that during the planning stages of the <br />COJEMS Project, the Chapel Hill Telephone Company had assured COJE.TM'.S <br />that a 911 telephone number would be available for the joint counties <br />use. In April of 1977, Mr. Gattis placed an order for 911 service with <br />Southern Bell Company. No reply was received to that request until <br />August 3, 1977 when a.letter was received from Southern Bell stating <br />that Company could not provide a 911 number, but could give a seven digit <br />number. The telephone company stated that they coulc? tell the County at <br />the first quarter of 1978 just when a 911 would be available. Southern <br />Bell said that a commitment had been made by the Chapel Hill Telephone <br />Company, but that now that service could not be provided. Following <br />newspaper coverage, the County Attorney and Chairman T~7~-iitted received <br />calls from Southern Bell Company officials who regUested a meeting. A <br />August 15, 1977 meeting was scheduled, and Southern Bell stated that a <br />mistake had taken place. <br />Southern Bell stated at the August 15th meeting that what was in- <br />volved was the need for some service selection which needed to be made. <br />Essentially, Southern Bell can provide either a 911 emergency medical <br />service, which is not the best possible 911 service available, because of <br />technical problems in Chapel Hill equipment oz they can provide a 411 <br />information service with certain stipulations, Southern Bell. requested <br />that a meeting be scheduled with representatives from the Chapel I?il1- <br />Carrboro area to explain the misunderstanding and to come to some deci- <br />sion regarding which number to choose. <br />The County Manager stated that a meeting had not been scheduled due <br />to several conflicts, however, he had talked with the Chapel Hill Town <br />Manager and Mr. Jenne does endorse the 911 concept rather than an informa- <br />tion and one digit long distance system. The Chatham County Manager feels <br />that Chatham County would go along with whatever Orange County chooses. <br />Mr. Gattis will talk with John Temple from the University and members from <br />the Chapel Hi11 and Carrboro Boards of Aldermen as soon as possible. <br />Commissioner Gustaveson requested that the Board be notified of the <br />next meeting with Southern Bell Company. <br />Ben Lloyd asked to be notified of the meeting to be set with the <br />State Personnel Staff and the County Commissioners. <br />The meeting was adjourned. <br />Richard E. Whined, hairman <br />Agatha Johnson, Clerk <br /> <br />