Thirty years!
It has been over thirty years since the first 9-1-1 call was placed in Texas County. As with all great things 9-1-1 in our area was brought to light as just a thought, an idea if you will. This idea was first mentioned in a Cabool City Council meeting in 1991. From that day forward many changes and accomplishments have been exceeded beyond expectations. This idea turned into a joint project between Texas and Wright County. At the time it was the only two-county joint operation. After much planning, discussions, paperwork and plans, the project was underway. The overseeing board was a combination of both the Texas and Wright County Commission. On Jan. 10, 1995 the first 9-1-1 call was received at Wri-Tex E 9-1-1.
The first dispatch center was a remodeled ambulance bay on the campus at Texas County Memorial Hospital. Inside there was a small dispatch area with two stations. Each station had one computer with one screen and there was one radio to be shared among the dispatchers. The maps were all paper with many lines drawn on them to outline fire and Ems boundaries. The recording system was just VHS tapes that were changed nightly at midnight.
Through the years a third station was added, digital maps came to light and recording became computer based, never having to change a VHS tape again. As advancements were making their way through dispatch, so was it throughout, including advancements of cellphones. At this time 9-1-1 was funded through a surcharge on landline phones only, which most referred to as a phone tax. When cellphones became regular and found to be reliable for some, they slowly shut off their landline phones. With this the funding for 9-1-1 gradually dropped. It was argued then that there should be a tax on the cellphones same as the landline phones to help fund 9-1-1. Ultimately legislation ruled that a cellphone is not a phone, but a radio so hence should not be charged any tax the same as. This led to funds for many 9-1-1 centers depleting and struggling to operate.
In 2013 it was determined that Wri-Tex would not be able to remain operational much longer without additional funding. Once again, turning to the citizens asking for assistance in the matter. At this time, it was determined that the best course of action was to have a sales tax placed within the counties. In turn this process placed the vote to the people. Before the vote it was decided that Wright and Texas County would no longer be a joint communications center but instead operate independently. In April of 2014 the citizens came through voting in a sales tax that would keep 9-1-1 in Texas County. A board of directors was appointed as a starter, these positions are now voted in. [Every two years opposite districts within the county vote for the board of directors to serve a four-year term.] Plans for a new center and operations began. There were a few barriers but eventually all was worked out and the new center for Texas County Emergency Services was complete. In August of 2015 the first call was placed and answered in the new center. Thus, making it 10 years, this month, that Texas County 9-1-1 has been operational in the current center.
Inside the dispatch room now sit four stations each having five computer screens. Emergency calls plot instantly on a digital map and each station has a radio that can be operated simultaneously. No more is paper logs as all information is kept on a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) computer. Call volume is up an estimated 300 percent per day in comparison to the early days in the late 1900s. Getting to the point we are now was not an easy task as there were and continue to be many people responsible for one or more advancements. This type of journey is never a one and done deal, each day there are obstacles, improvements and decisions to make regarding many aspects. As tomorrow may bring new advancements, regulations, along with many unknowns. One constant is the people, the citizens; you have been the constant in non-wavering support.
It has been proven many times over that 9-1-1 has impacted countless lives as it continues to do daily. There cannot be a 9-1-1 center without dispatchers. Being a dispatcher/telecommunicator is not for the faint of heart. I often compare the mental strength of a dispatcher to the physical strength of a lumberjack. Call after call they hear someone’s raw feelings and emotions coming through the phone. Not knowing what a ring of a telephone will bring, they stay consistent with a calm voice as they answer, “9-1-1, where is your emergency?” From that moment on, they are there intertwined on scene, asking questions, providing instructions, while instantaneously painting a scene for the field responders to visualize while on their way. The roller coaster of a ride just one shift brings is incomparable on the mental toll that is experienced. You may never see the dispatcher; most may forget their voice. But your call is never forgotten, it is stored away with some more prominent than others, but it stays with us. Once the phone call is disconnected, the dispatcher is still on constant alert. As with being a lifeline to callers, dispatchers are also the consistent lifeline to any responder via radio or phone.
Texas County, please know that you are in great hands with some of the most dedicated, caring dispatchers. On behalf of Texas County 9-1-1 I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for all that has been and continues to support this journey.
*Please note that this is only a short summary of what this agency has accomplished over the last thirty years. There are many people that have impacted all aspects of operations, try as I might I would never be able to list them all. The history and impact of each one is not lost. *