Changing of the Guard on 911 Board

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Published on May 18 2021 4:02 pm
Last Updated on May 18 2021 4:20 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(LEFT TO RIGHT, DEPARTING 911 BOARD MEMBERS DAVE MAHON, WAYNE RUBACH, AND JULIE STEPHENS RECEIVE PLAQUES FROM COUNTY BOARD VICE-CHAIRMAN DAVE CAMPBELL FOR THEIR SERVICE. MIKE DePOISTER, ALSO DEPARTING FROM THE BOARD, COULD NOT BE PRESENT. STEPHENS' LAST MEETING WILL BE IN JUNE)

Tuesday marked the last meeting on the Effingham County 911 Board for four members. 

Those members are Sheriff Dave Mahon, Mike DePoister, Julie Stephens and Wayne Rubach. Mahon is retiring as sheriff, Stephens and Rubach said it's time for others to serve, and DePoister had resigned earlier due to professional and personal reasons.

Rubach noted that it's been his pleasure to serve, and noted that the 911 balance of funds is twice what it was when he joined the Board five years ago.

That balance might grow some more after 911 Administrator Tina Daniels said a report from the State indicates Effingham County's 911 will receive an additionally $10,000/month this year for Next Generation 911.

Daniels also reported on state legislation that changes how emergency mental health calls are handled. Among the provisions is that mental health assistance would be dispatched first, ahead of police. She said state telecommunicators want to know whether scripted cards would be made available to telecommunicators, and if mental health officials are called first how other emergency services agencies would be kept in the loop.

City police chief Jason McFarland discussed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder instruction for telecommunicators. McFarland said other emergency services get the instruction, so why shouldn't telecommunicators. He said their situation is different from other emergency services professionals. The matter will be pursued.

Larry Thies of Air Evac reported that their helicopters will now be equipped O-plus whole blood. Thies thinks they might be the only ambulance service with such an item aboard. He said people with O-plus blood can go to Community Blood Services if they wish to donate to the Air Evac supply.

Abbott EMS reported that they will host a graduation ceremony this Thursday at their Effingham base on North 3rd Street to recognize the nine individuals who have completed EMT training through Lake Land College.