East Texas

By MALENA OGLES
Staff Writer

For the second time in three weeks, Smith County Emergency Services District No. 2 board members will discuss 911 dispatching options for 11 Smith County volunteer fire departments during Thursday’s meeting.

Last month, ESD No. 2 board members were told by the Smith County 911 Communications District director that the district was looking to relinquish its duties to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office to focus more on technology affecting 911 communications.

The sheriff’s office has not been officially reassigned dispatching duties, but officials hope for the reassignment to be approved by Smith County Commissioners in time for the sheriff’s office to take over Oct. 1.

After deciding to place more emphasis on technology rather than dispatching, the Smith County 911 Communications District sent letters of reassignment to each of the cities and law enforcement agencies using the district’s dispatching services.

ESD No. 2 was one of the agencies that was asked to reassign or terminate interlocal agreements. Part of that agreement includes services of office space and administrative support.

Now, instead of signing with the sheriff’s department, area fire chiefs are looking at other dispatching options, hoping to improve their services.

ESD No. 2 board members, along with area fire chiefs, will meet with representatives from the Smith County Sheriff’s Department to discuss what qualities the fire departments want in a dispatch provider.

Last week, the board tabled voting on 911 dispatching until board members spoke with other dispatching pro-viders and researched their services.

If the ESD No. 2 decides not to reassign the interlocal agreement with the Sheriff’s Department, the board will have to find a new meeting place and administrative support. They would also have to find another dispatch provider before Oct.1.

At the meeting, board members Alan Adams and Teresa Campbell will present information from the Texas State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts on whether dispatching is a service that needs to be put out for bid.

Prior to the formation of ESD No. 2, dispatching services were paid for by the county, not the volunteer fire depa-rtments.

Other items that will be discussed include:

The purchase of bunker gear washers for all of the volunteer fire departments with funds returned to ESD No. 2 by the Smith County Volunteer Firemen’s Association;